In the highly anticipated 2024 race for the Republican presidential nomination, Puerto Rico will play a significant role with its 23 delegates, surpassing other US territories and even the influential states of New Hampshire, Delaware, and Maine.
Despite typically garnering less attention early in the race due to its primary being held after Super Tuesday, Puerto Rico has attracted some GOP candidates. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was the sole 2024 presidential candidate to visit the island, although he has since withdrawn from the race. Notably, previous Republican presidential candidates such as George H.W. Bush, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, as well as Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama, have campaigned in Puerto Rico during their respective campaigns.
Winning Puerto Rico during the primary campaigns can aid a Republican candidate in reaching the crucial 1,234 delegates required to secure the nomination. Moreover, the issue of statehood for Puerto Rico often dominates the island’s politics, and supporting statehood has been a common stance among the candidates who have visited.
It’s important to note that Puerto Rico participates in presidential primaries but not presidential elections. Although Puerto Rico residents, as US citizens, have the right to vote in primaries, their participation is somewhat disconnected from US party politics. Political affiliations in Puerto Rico primarily revolve around the island’s status—statehood or independence—rather than party affiliations.
The island’s political landscape is shaped by three main parties representing each stance on its status: The New Progressive Party supports statehood, the Popular Democratic Party favors territorial ties with the US, and the Puerto Rican Independence Party advocates for independence. A non-binding referendum in 2020 revealed a division among residents, with 52% in favor of statehood and 47% against it. While local GOP members are expected to support statehood, not all members of the New Progressive Party are Republicans.
Despite the crucial role Puerto Rico plays in the primaries, voter turnout historically remains low. In the 2012 GOP primary, around 126,000 people participated, whereas in 2016, the number dropped to under 40,000. Efforts to engage Puerto Rican voters and address their pressing issues, including statehood and the island’s recovering economy, which has been adversely impacted by hurricanes and the pandemic, will be vital in boosting voter engagement.
Additionally, the GOP has recently aimed to attract Hispanic voters, with Puerto Rico becoming significant as it constitutes an entirely Hispanic jurisdiction. Winning Puerto Rico’s support could signal the party’s appeal to other Hispanic voters throughout the country.
The timing of Puerto Rico’s Republican presidential primary usually occurs after Super Tuesday, with March 5 being the expected date in 2024. However, the exact date for the primary has not been set by Puerto Rico Republicans, with April being a potential option. If the race for the GOP nomination is close, Puerto Rico’s late primary could prove decisive for a candidate striving to secure the necessary 1,234 delegates for victory.
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