From the start of her independent campaign for the governorship of Puerto Rico, Alexandra Lúgaro has been treated by most as an underdog with an impossible dream. Yes, her ideas sound great, but how can she win an election alone in a country that is monopolized by political parties? The answer is now clear, which is that the gap in resources, support and infrastructure produced by the lack of a party has been filled by the excitement and drive of those that follow her.

There is nothing exciting about a career politician waving from a caravan or the age-old insults they throw at each other from party to party, but it is fascinating to watch Lúgaro fight against the system that for so long has ruled and corrupted the Puerto Rican government. She elicits a hopeful response from the everyday person who is simply tired of the same old crap, which is why her official Facebook page now has more followers than any other 2016 hopeful (including Pedro Pierluisi, Ricardo Roselló, and Alejandro Garcia Padilla, the current governor). In essence, the very nature of the historic and some might say impossible nature of her campaign produces a passion and drive in those that get behind her, which I am calling the Lúgaro Effect.

"Every great movement starts with a motivated and determined few," is one of Lúgaro's most memorable quotes. That is the nature of the driving force behind her campaign, that those that support her dream of a different and better approach to government are a wave that can one day become a tsunami. Listening to her speak and seeing the milestones that her campaign has achieved is nothing short of awe inspiring, and so day by day that group of followers grows and becomes stronger and more determined. With over 700 sworn endorsement collectors, her team is no longer a few radicals on Facebook, but a movement of people willing to say, "Enough."

Another fascinating aspect of Lúgaro's trajectory so far is how the Puerto Rican media has
contributed to the effect of her campaign by blatantly ignoring or mistreating her. One of the strongest messages of her movement is that our current system is corrupt, incompetent and desperately needing change. And so, when El Nuevo Dia excludes her from a nationwide election poll, when the media considers it serious news that the candidate was seen dancing at a concert, and when they publish blatant misinformation about her campaign, they corroborate the validity of her message and the necessity for someone like her to speak up and fight for a change.

If I were running a political campaign endorsed by one of the Island's parties, I would be terrified of Alexandra Lúgaro. There is nothing more shockingly different and refreshing than seeing a candidate who is willing to go to any lengths to expose the truth and speak her mind. No other candidate running against her would do the things that she has done to clarify her message and actions, like stopping at a gas station and recording an eight-minute long, unscripted video to update her supporters. It is terrifying because unlike traditional politicians that are comfortable with ignoring rumors and scandals until they become old news, or spinning them to their advantage, Lúgaro will get in front of any camera, at any time, without any need for much preparation and tell you exactly what she thinks and what the truth is. There is nothing they will be able to throw at her that she wouldn't be comfortable talking about and clarifying, and so she has started a campaign of honesty and open communication that is unprecedented in Puerto Rico. More so, that is exactly the type of approach we need from Puerto Rican leaders: a willingness to get up in front of a camera without much concern for the political implications, and tell the country the truth.

So of course the media is refusing to take her seriously. Of course politicians don't want to admit that she is a threat. Of course people are eager to say that what she is trying to do is impossible. Because if you give Alexandra Lúgaro a national microphone, Puerto Rico will never be the same again. That is why I predict that the Lúgaro Effect will continue to grow and become stronger amongst those that have been oppressed and mistreated by the current system, those that are outraged by the incompetence and corruption of the political parties, and those that are sick and tired of the same mistakes by the same people. A change like the one our country needs will never occur with those that have been the root of the problem for years, but with the movement of people willing to stand up to them and demand it.

For more information on her campaign, visit her website or her official Facebook page.