Puerto Rico has been thrust into the spotlight with just nine days to go until Election Day, as both campaigns make moves to court the island’s voters. Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a plan to assist Puerto Rico, earning an endorsement from global superstar Bad Bunny. Meanwhile, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made disparaging remarks about the island at a rally for former President Donald Trump, referring to it as “a floating island of garbage.”
Harris’ plan for Puerto Rico includes the creation of a task force to create jobs, streamline disaster recovery funds, and ensure reliable and affordable electricity for the island. In a video posted on her social media platforms, Harris criticized Trump for his response to Hurricane Maria in 2017, accusing him of abandoning the island and offering only paper towels and insults. Bad Bunny, who typically does not weigh in on national politics, broke tradition by endorsing Harris in a post on Instagram, reaching his massive following of 45 million followers.
The endorsement from Bad Bunny carries significant weight in the political sphere, as both parties have long sought to strengthen their connections with Latino voters, given the artist’s global popularity. In contrast, Hinchcliffe’s offensive jokes about Puerto Rico at the Trump rally drew swift backlash from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Ariana DeBose, and Ricky Martin, who voiced their support for Harris’ plan for the island.
Hinchcliffe’s remarks were met with condemnation from politicians on both sides of the aisle, with Harris’ running mate Gov. Tim Walz emphasizing the importance of Puerto Rican voters in battleground states. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Hinchcliffe’s joke as dehumanizing and directed her comments to Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state with a significant Latino population.
Pennsylvania, home to over 579,000 eligible Latino voters, is expected to play a pivotal role in the outcome of the presidential election, with slim margins determining the winner. Harris visited a Puerto Rican restaurant in Philadelphia to speak directly to Latino voters, highlighting her commitment to addressing the needs of Puerto Ricans both on the island and on the mainland.
Trump is set to campaign in Allentown, Pennsylvania, a city where Latinos make up the majority of the population, with a sizable Puerto Rican community. Republican leaders like Senator Rick Scott and Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar denounced Hinchcliffe’s comments as racist and inappropriate, while Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón labeled them as despicable and disgusting.
The events surrounding Puerto Rico in the lead-up to the election underscore the island’s significance in American politics and the efforts by both campaigns to court the Puerto Rican vote. Harris’ plan for the island and the endorsements from influential figures like Bad Bunny signal the importance of engaging with Puerto Rican voters and addressing their needs both in Puerto Rico and on the mainland.
As Election Day approaches, the spotlight on Puerto Rico serves as a reminder of the island’s resilience in the face of adversity and the importance of amplifying the voices of Puerto Ricans in the political arena. The endorsements, condemnations, and campaign efforts all reflect the intricate dance of politics and identity that shapes the electoral landscape, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania.
