The Puerto Rico gubernatorial line of succession defines who may become or act as Governor of Puerto Rico upon the incapacity, death, resignation, or removal from office (by impeachment and subsequent conviction) of a sitting governor or a governor-elect.
Article IV of the Constitution of Puerto Rico establishes that when a vacancy occurs in the post of Governor said post shall devolve upon the Secretary of State, who shall hold it for the rest of the term and until a new governor has been elected and qualifies.
In the case of Secretary of State Pedro Pierluisi, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, in a 9–0 decision, determined that he could not ascend to the governorship when Ricardo Rosselló resigned because he held the position in a recess appointment capacity and was therefore precluded from being in the line of permanent succession to the governorship.
The table below shows the current governmental line of succession as established by Article IV of the Constitution of Puerto Rico and further defined by Law No.
However, those in the line of succession must still satisfy the constitutional requirements for the office of governor in order to serve.