He joined the Government of Puerto Rico in 1993, working for the Youth Affairs Office. Then he moved up to La Fortaleza – the Governor's Mansion – where he worked in the Municipal Affairs Office during the day, while seeking a law degree from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law in the evenings. In 1998, then-Governor Pedro Rosselló nominated Romero as associate member of the Appellate Board of the government's personnel administration system. Two years later, he was designated president of that entity, serving in that capacity until 2004, being the youngest member of the cabinet at the time of his nomination. Romero then practiced as a private trial lawyer, specializing in labor relations.
In November 2008, former Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Luis Fortuño, nominated him as Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. He was sworn into his post in January 2009, and assumed several responsibilities that denote his leadership, character and commitment as a public servant. Romero successfully mediated disputes and spearheaded many negotiations with Labor Unions improving the conditions of Puerto Rico's workforce. While being in office Romero was active in several Government of Puerto Rico boards, including the State Insurance Fund Corporation, the Public Housing Administration, the Cooperative Development Commission, the Work Investment Act State Board, and the Fiscal and Economic Stabilization board. Additionally, he was one of only five government officials that make up the council in charge of reorganizing and modernizing the Executive Branch of Puerto Rico. Because of his leadership the Governor of Puerto Rico also entrusted Romero with the task of solving all current tribulations affecting the government's retirement system by naming him chair of the Commission to Reform the Government of Puerto Rico Retirement Systems. On August 2012, Romero was appointed Chief of Staff by Governor Fortuño.
Chief of Staff of Puerto Rico
On August 1, 2012, Romero became the Governor's third Chief of Staff, succeeding Marcos Rodríguez Ema, who became one of Senior Advisor to the Luis Fortuño reelection campaign. The differences in style with his predecessor became readily apparent when he announced that he will concentrate on government issues and avoid becoming immersed in political debate.
On June 5th 2016, Romero won the primary for one of the senate positions of the San Juan District. He was elected with 33,828 votes, obtaining the first place over six other candidates and got more votes in every San Juan's precinct, than any other candidate running for a San Juan's legislative position. Romero also surpass in votes the candidates who ran in the primary for Governor of Puerto Rico and mayor of San Juan.
