Carmelo Ríos Santiago

Carmelo J. Ríos Santiago was born on May 21, 1973, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He attended primary school at the American Military Academy in Guaynabo and graduated from the Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Florida, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He earned an Associate Degree in Economics from Valencia Community College on a sports scholarship and later a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Economics from Bethune-Cookman University, where he was recognized for his academic and athletic performance in the NCAA Division I. He earned his Juris Doctor from the School of Law at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in 1998, receiving the Mascareña Award for leadership and academic performance. During law school, he was active in student government and legal associations, including the Delta Theta Phi law fraternity. He worked as an attorney and legal advisor for the Commissioner of Municipal Affairs and as Director of the Legal Division of the State Insurance Fund Corporation. In 2001, he opened his own law firm, specializing in administrative, criminal, and civil cases. His public service began in 1999 when he was elected Municipal Legislator of Guaynabo and served as Majority Spokesperson. In 2004, he was elected as the youngest Senator to represent the Bayamón District in its history. Throughout his legislative career, he has chaired several committees, including the Government Commission, the Commission on Rules and Calendar, the Commission on Federal Relations and Viabilization of the People's Mandate for Status Solution, and the Joint Commission of the Córdova Fernós Congressional Internship Program. He has held multiple leadership roles within the New Progressive Party (PNP), including Alternate Spokesperson and Majority Spokesperson. At the national level, he served as president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) from 2018 to 2019 and has held board and executive positions with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the Council of State Governments-East (CSG-East), and the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF). In 2020, he was elected president of the Democratic Delegation during the party's convention. As of his election to a sixth term in 2024, he serves as the First Vice President of the Senate.