Cape Canaveral, Florida (CNN) - Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno has endorsed Mitt Romney, in a boon to the GOP candidate's efforts to woo Florida's Latino voters ahead of Tuesday's primary.
Puerto Rico's top official will campaign with Romney at an event Friday evening in Orlando.
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Earlier in the day, Romney said he would support a move by Puerto Rico towards statehood, and referenced Fortuno's "passionate" support for that process.
"I expect the people of Puerto Rico will decide, like he feels, to become a state," Romney told a cheering audience at the Hispanic Leadership Network conference. "I can tell you that I will work with him that if that vote comes out in favor of statehood we will go through the process in Washington to provide statehood to Puerto Rico."
Puerto Rican voters will weigh in on a referendum regarding possible statehood in November.
In a statement, Fortuno, who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate, said Romney had shown his private sector record "can be applied to all challenges."
"Mitt Romney is the one candidate who has the record, leadership, experience, and pro-growth plan to continue the course of private-sector job creation we've begun in Puerto Rico and provide economic stability for generations," Fortuno said in a statement.
Puerto Rico's Republican caucuses will be held March 18, when 23 delegates are at stake. However, Puerto Rico is not allocated any electoral votes in November's election.
The announcement would clearly be a disappointment to some - at Thursday's CNN Florida Republican Presidential Debate, another candidate, Rick Santorum, cited his friendship with Fortuno.
"I will give a shout-out to Governor Luis Fortuno, who is a good friend of mine," Santorum said. "I know him and his family, we have known each other for many years, we actually used to go to church together."
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Oh, romney fight for Puerto Rican statehood. See how long the baggies support you.
Vamos Romney
...and we care about this...why?
Romney's concern for Puerto Rico is as big as the delegates he may end up getting, and no more. But is just fine with me because Obama is going to win again.
Money can't buy everything, that's true
But what it can't buy, Mitt can't use
Big whoop! It is a meaningless endorsement from an insignificant, on his way out the door politician who is not liked or respected.
His endorsement and $2.00 will buy you a cafe con leche.
just say anything!
"i'll make puerto rico a state."
sounds like an episode of LIE TO ME
Namejkane fl said:
"Why would any Latino support the teapublican clowns who would cut your mom and dads soc sec Medicare, medicade and food stamps and deport your families??????"
Well said!!! or is it just another thought from a mentally ill liberal???
Now show me your green card!!!
Gov Luis Ortuno should look in the mirror. The GOP/Tea Party does not look like you or the people you represent.
Puerto Rico will hold a Republican PRIMARY, not a caucus. It will be held on March 18. CNN should verify that. And Luis Fortuño's rising in polls here in PR, he is not HATED as many opponents of the colonialist and pro-territorial status party want to falsely show. Fortuño will win in 2012, for sure. Now, once again, PR will hold Republican primaries, not caucuses.
I used to say that I would vote for any of the republican candidates against Obama, but I am rapidly souring towards Romney. I've never held him in high esteem, but his slick methods are really beginning to turn me away to the point that I am seriously thinking that I will not vote for him if he is the candidate. He will do or say anything to get elected as if his election is more important than the real issues that our nation faces. He's another Bill Clinton – way to interested in his own accomplishments and out of touch. Santorum, Paul or Gingrich are all much preferable than Romney. If Romney wins the nomination, I hope Paul goes third party. I am no Ron Paul fan, but I will vote for him over Bill Clinton Jr.
Namejkane fl
Why would any Latino support the teapublican clowns who would cut your mom and dads soc sec Medicare, medicade and food stamps and deport your families??????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The only President to ever cut Medicare is Obama. He signed the bill. Republicans have passed a bill in the House to save Medicare. The Democrats don't really care enough to do that kind of work. Look beyond the rhetoric and see what they are actually doing. They have had plenty of opportunities to walk the talk but have not performed.
Bonzo the chimp already won chump. We called him reagan. You remember him right? Hes the one that started the downfall of the middle class and the financial problems we have today. The part time professor might go back to chicago but it will be for a big party after he wins in Nov. Now go back to fox news you brainwashed twit.
Does free universal health care like Massachusetts have anything to do with it?
Fortuño took a terrible fiscal crisis from negligent past administrations and backed his Tea Party rhetoric with action. I live here, I know. A large pharmacutical industry that once thrived and provided jobd, good jobs, to boricuas began to vanish amidst silly regulations, over bearing labor laws and taxation. And the size of government was a joke.
We're beginning to see the fruits of the necessary action. Fortuño is gutsy and conviction led (not polls). He'd make a great VP (better than Palin) and I pray we get to keep him another four years here on the island so hell enjoy the fruits of his labor.
LOL. Cubans/Mexican Americans in FL and Puerto Ricans really don't get along. Don't know why people think that all hispanics think/vote the same. Thought we learned our lesson about that in Vietnam. Anyway, I guess Santorum isn't that good a friend of the gov afterall!! Santorum should have said he would support statehood last night. Then, the gov would have endorsed him. Boy, this endorsement is going to be "aaaawkward" when President Obama wins re-election in Nov!!!
Who cares. Everyone knows the PR governor is part of the DC insider republican establishment. Go mitt!
Thet have pre pabas (democrat) than palmas (gop) in Puerto Rico...the Gov's endorsement means nada.
Get real. Puerto Ricans are decent, hard working people. We welcome a decent, hard working president.
This guy must be high.
That endorsement is enough to make me vote for Newt.
That's great news for Romney and Latino people.
I will vote for Romney because he's cool. The other guy looks to racist to me.
Can Puerto Rico even vote in our elections? I would think that an endorsement from the latino population that can actually vote would be more important. If latinos think Obama is bad, just help elect another Republican and you will see bad. The Tea/Republican Party would rather see all latinos shipped back to their country of origin than to see them prosper here in America.