Conny Varela

José Manuel “Conny” Varela Fernández was born on February 13, 1954, in Cayey and has resided in Caguas since 1976. He attended the Colegio Notre Dame de Caguas and graduated from the Miguel Meléndez Muñoz High School, where he received a leadership medal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the Universidad de Puerto Rico, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1974. In 1977, he obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. During his final year of law school, he worked at the Puerto Rico Department of Justice. From 1977 to 1996, he was a partner at the law firm Bufete Varela & Varela. He also served as a professor of Criminology at the Puerto Rico Junior College and as a professor of Commercial Law and Political Science at Caguas City College. His public service and professional recognition include serving as legal counsel for the Government Commission of the House of Representatives from 1989 to 1991, as well as receiving recognition for his work with the American Cancer Society and as a president of the Rotary Club of Caguas. He began his political career in 1993 as a Municipal Legislator for Caguas. Elected to the House of Representatives in 1996 for the 32nd District, he has served multiple terms, holding various leadership roles including Chairman of the Government Commission and Vice President of the House of Representatives. Throughout his legislative tenure, he has been involved in commissions related to judiciary, municipal affairs, socioeconomic development, government, and constitutional law. In the November 2024 elections, he was re-elected for his eighth term and serves as a spokesperson for the Popular Democratic Party delegation in the commissions of Judiciary, Recreation and Sports, and Economic Development.