Puerto Ricans in Florida play key role in Senate race

[Quixote1818]

Puerto Ricans in Florida are poised to play a crucial role in the marquee Senate race there, as both candidates scramble to woo one of the state’s fastest-growing Hispanic groups.

Tens of thousands of people, who fled Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in September, have resettled in Florida. That’s expected to have implications in the high-profile clash between Sen. Bill Nelson (D) and Gov. Rick Scott (R) this fall.

The influx of Puerto Ricans — who can register to vote as soon as they arrive since they’re U.S. citizens — are likely to give Democrats a boost, as they typically favor the party. President Trump is also highly unpopular among Puerto Ricans for his response to the hurricane.
But Scott has shown surprising strength among Puerto Ricans because of his engagement with their community, both on the island and in Florida, while serving as governor. A close Trump ally, he appears to have so far successfully distanced himself from the president on the issue, even as post-Maria tensions linger.

More:

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/396208-puerto-ricans-in-florida-play-key-role-in-senate-race

[pstokely]

1. but are they polled?

doubt it, polls probably over sample white retirees with landlines

[Historic NY]

2. Only if they are registered to vote.

[wonkwest]

3. My first thought

With all they've been through, and with all the difficulties that come with having your entire life upended and transplanted, for how many was registering to vote a priority?

After Trump's wonderful performance in that disaster, I hope it's quite a few of them.

But, not sure that it is.

[Demovictory9]

4. We'll see what happens in Nov

crossing my fingers that Dems win that seat

[Garrett78]

5. Every single Puerto Rican in Florida will play a key role in the Senate race?

Or should I just assume a qualifier, such as "many" or "some?"

What's that you say, I should only get upset about the lack of a qualifier when the headline starts with "white people?" Okay, got it.

[DrDan]

8. that's really quite a stretch

I understand your comment, but, gosh, the OP is quite understandable and clear.

[Garrett78]

10. Of course it is.

I'm being sarcastic. See here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10876698

[SoCalDem]

6. Registering to vote is great.....but

here's hoping they can jump through the flaming hoops at the voting PLACES..
Republicans are expert at disqualifying people

[Hortensis]

7. In the 2016 Dem and Repub primaries, just under 58,794

voted Democrat (61.3% of those for Hillary) and 36,660 voted Republican (75% for Rubio, 13.8% for Trump). (As residents of a territory, they did not vote in the general presidential election.)

Let's hope they vote to smite the Republicans as they deserve. But how many of their conservatives actually will? Conservative personality generally rules choices, political ideology follows personality, and we know people tend to vote their ideology over their self interest.

[DrDan]

9. scott has used to office to garner PR votes - he visited 5-6 times, eased

licensing regulations, opened shelters.

I think there will be quite a few PR votes going his way.