Puerto Rico has received more-than-average media coverage during President Donald Trump’s term, largely because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria and the administration’s insensitive response.
The attention on the island has launched it into a place of prominence for the Democratic primaries.
According to a Wednesday Politico report, candidates Julian Castro and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have already made pit stops. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) named San Juan’s mayor his campaign co-chair.
“The visual Trump created by throwing paper towels at people who needed relief is easy to point to as an example of the failures of the administration,” Mayra Macias, vice president of Latino Victory, told Politico.
Despite Puerto Rico’s increased prominence, though, some officials are frustrated that their top-tier issues, like statehood, are still being dodged by the mainstream candidates.
