Presidential Candidates in Pennsylvania: A Critical Battleground
In a pivotal moment for the upcoming presidential elections, candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris made their presence felt in Pennsylvania on Monday. This swing state is crucial, especially after a controversial joke made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Trump rally has stirred discontent among Latin American voters. During the rally in New York last week, Hinchcliffe referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” which ignited outrage and accusations of racism from various voter groups.
The fallout from this joke could potentially unravel months of effort by the Republican Party to engage Latino voters and secure their support for former President Donald Trump ahead of Tuesday’s presidential elections. Teddy Vasquez, a Democratic Party volunteer, shared an encounter that underscored the impact of Hinchcliffe’s words: “When I was canvassing the other day, I met a gentleman from Puerto Rico who mentioned that this incident actually caused him to reconsider his vote.” Vasquez emphasized, “You can’t disrespect the very people you are asking to support you.”
The city of Reading, Pennsylvania, is emerging as a significant player in this electoral drama, as its outcome could determine who wins the state—and potentially who will become the next president of the United States. With a population of around 100,000, Reading is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania, and the latest census reveals that two-thirds of its residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
However, not all members of the Puerto Rican community have been deterred from supporting Trump despite Hinchcliffe’s remarks. Sarah Torres, a Republican Party volunteer, stated, “My family is not offended, because we take pride in being Americans. The true representatives of Latin American values are Donald Trump and the Republican Party.”
Pennsylvania’s status as a swing state makes it a crucial battleground, where both Democrats and Republicans enjoy nearly equal levels of voter support. This balance is vital in shaping the overall outcome of a presidential election. With its 19 electoral votes, Pennsylvania is poised to be a decisive factor in either candidate’s campaign. Historically, no Democratic nominee has won the presidency without securing Pennsylvania since 1948.
While Puerto Ricans residing on the island cannot vote in general elections due to their citizenship status, they can influence the electoral process through relatives living on the mainland, where voting is permitted. Approximately two-thirds of ethnic Puerto Ricans reside in the United States, making them the second-largest Hispanic demographic nationwide, following Mexican-Americans. This group is increasingly recognized as an essential voting bloc.
