Tribal Nations, Territories and DC

Puerto Rico's political status

10 public statements from 2026 candidates

§1The range of views

Why this matters: It would decide whether Puerto Ricans get a vote for president and in Congress, which federal taxes and programs apply there and how closely the island is tied to the US.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

Whether Puerto Rico, a US territory, should become a state, stay a territory or become independent; people born in Puerto Rico are US citizens.1

  1. Make Puerto Rico a state
  2. Keep it a US territory
  3. Make it an independent country with close ties to the US set by treaty (free association)
  4. Make it a fully independent country

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Make Puerto Rico a state (4)

  • Scott Wiener CA-11
    His campaign website says he would grant statehood to Puerto Rico.2
  • Clifton Brown CO-3
    His campaign website says he would make Puerto Rico a state.3
  • Ashley Bell NC-10
    Her campaign website lists statehood for Puerto Rico among the policies she supports.4
  • Winston Jordan NJ-12
    His policy platform website lists statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.5

Statements that don't match one option (6)

  • Ro Khanna CA-17
    His campaign website says Puerto Rico should have the right to self-determination and that its colonial status should end.6
  • Angie Nixon FL Senate special
    Her campaign website says the people of Puerto Rico should decide its future political status through a binding process.7
  • Mike Sell FL-4
    His campaign's platform supports a binding vote in Puerto Rico on statehood or independence, and says that support is about Puerto Ricans deciding rather than about statehood itself.8,9
  • Kimberly Overman FL-12
    Her campaign platform says she supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination.10
  • Christopher Campbell KY Senate
    His campaign website says he would push for a resolution letting Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories vote on statehood or independence.11
  • Lauren Jewett LA-1
    Her campaign website says she supports the Puerto Rico Status Act and any legislation that grants a statehood referendum giving the Puerto Rican people the power to decide the territory's future.12