GOP candidate clarifies comments that Puerto Rican refugees in FL shouldn't vote

[Borealis]

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/388815-gop-congressional-candidate-attempts-to-clarify-comments-that-puerto-ricans

A Florida Congressional candidate is facing criticism after he said he doesn't believe Puerto Ricans should be allowed to register to vote in Florida if they had relocated there after
Hurricane Maria.

Politico reported Tuesday that Republican candidate John Ward made the comments at a forum last month when he was asked about the need for more aid in Puerto Rico. 

"The idea that they can come to the mainland United States, I don’t necessarily have a problem with that," Ward said at the forum. "But I think we should be thinking about it in terms of
getting them back home and providing the capital and resources to rebuild Puerto Rico, which I honestly think is where they belong.”

He told Politico on Monday, roughly a month after his initial remarks, that he believes Puerto Rican voters are U.S. citizens, and they should be able to register to vote in Florida if they
choose to establish permanent residency there.

Ward’s primary opponent, former state Rep. Fred Costello (R), has seized on the initial comments. Costello’s campaign posted video of the exchange to YouTube. In the exchange,
Costello pushes back on Ward's comments, saying Puerto Ricans "have the right to go anywhere in the United States."

On Monday, Costello touted an endorsement from state Rep. Bob Cortes (R), who is Puerto Rican American. “Sadly, his primary opponent has made it clear he does not believe Puerto
Ricans should be allowed to exercise their rights as American citizens,” Cortes said in a release. 

“Electing a candidate like that is dangerous and would be a disservice, not just to the Puerto Rican Americans he would disenfranchise, but to all freedom-loving Americans,” he added.

Ward and Costello will face off in an Aug. 28 primary. They are seeking to become the GOP candidate to replace Rep. Ron DeSantis, who is running for governor.

[Shirt.]

Puerto Rico has more population than half the fucking states in the U.S. and if turned into a state by the republican majority they might just vote in favor of you morons and bail your asses out of this mess of a 4 years you made. But no. Your egos cloud the path of victory you keep deciding to take detours on.

[ペゴボド]

What is the deal with people not thinking that Puerto Rican people can excercise their US citizenship just like anyone else

[Zakk]

they're US citizens, eat a fucking dick you republican ball of filth.

[JennyC6]

I'd laugh my ass off if Floridian voters universally panned the doosh in August, something like a 95-5 loss.

[Aide]

Those are Putin numbers.

[Alice]

A lot of people fail to realize Peurto Ricans are American citizens to begin with. And since Peurto Rico is an American territory rather than state they also actually do get fewer rights overall which is retarded.

[StratoSlug]

Isn't it funny how we can can fight a war over independence then we turn around and go all out King George III on our own territories.