Romney would support statehood for Puerto Rico

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Mitt Romney
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney shakes hands during a campaign stop on Saturday, March 17, 2012 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. People in the U.S. territory don't pay taxes and can't vote in U.S. presidential elections. But they can vote in primary nominating contests, and Republicans will hold theirs in Puerto Rico on Sunday.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci

By KASIE HUNT
Associated Press

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (AP) — Mitt Romney is courting voters in Puerto Rico ahead of the island's primary as he looks toward voting in Illinois next week.

Romney on Saturday shopped for tropical fruit and told a small crowd he would support statehood for the island if that option wins the Nov. 6 referendum on Puerto Rico's political status. Puerto Rico is currently a U.S. territory.

Romney said former President Ronald Reagan was a proponent of Puerto Rican statehood. He praised the island's culture and its residents' willingness to serve in the U.S. military. Romney campaigned with Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuno.

Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but they don't pay taxes and they can't vote in presidential elections. They can vote in nominating contests, and Republicans hold their primary here Sunday.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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