Puerto Ricans Increase Their Political Influence - Latin American Herald Tribune - Monday, August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON – Americans of Puerto Rican
origin are the second-largest Hispanic group in the United States.The number of Puerto Ricans living in the 50 states alone is 4.7 million, greater than the population of Puerto Rico itself, which is 3.7 million.
Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, Puerto Ricans are citizens by birth, and they are becoming an increasingly powerful voice in U.S. politics. In Florida, voter turnout by Puerto Ricans was 55 percent in 2008, up from 47 percent in 2004.
“Puerto Ricans are starting to become part of the national dialogue,” said Julius Melendez, a candidate in the 9th Congressional District in Osceola County, Florida.
“The days where a presidential candidate could afford to ignore the Puerto Rican community are long gone – respect and attention are the new normal,” said Andres W. Lopez, an attorney from the island and a campaign adviser to President Obama
José A. Cabrera · SubscribeSubscribed
It's time to end Puerto Rico's colonial problem through
statehood.
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Puerto Ricans in the United States: A Statistical Profile - Monday, August 27, 2012