Ben Carson states that Puerto Rican statehood would strengthen the US

Statehood is a central political issue in Puerto Rico, a US territory whose two main parties are the pro-statehood PNP and pro-commonwealth PPD, each of which have Democrats and Republicans within their ranks.

Carson’s appearance was held in conjunction with an event for Ricky Rosselló, who is running for governor as part of Puerto Rico’s pro-statehood New Progressive Party.

Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson says giving statehood to Puerto Rico would strengthen the United States.

Puerto Rican citizens can participate in primary elections, but now cannot vote in general elections. Subsequently, presidential candidates have been paying attention to the needs of the commonwealth. Look at all of the contributions which were made to America. So in that you know you might have already paid your dues.

He said the current financial struggles of Puerto Rico’s government, which is trying to refinance $72 billion in public debt and spark an economy that has been in a slump for almost a decade, is no reason to deny statehood.

Carson suggested statehood would turn things around.

“If we start treating them like we do everybody else the debts will get much better”, Carson said.

On a more personal note, the retired neurosurgeon said he visited Puerto Rico ‘many, many times and have had a wonderful time, ‘ Carson said. When you look at all the other territories that became states, very few of them have met all of the requirements that Puerto Rico has.

Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, both of whom are from Florida, have advocated for Puerto Rican statehood longer than Carson. Scholarships like that don’t exist and there’s no record of Carson ever applying to the military school.