DNC chairman backs Puerto Rico statehood

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez is backing Puerto Rico statehood.

Perez, who has two siblings who were born in Puerto Rico, told Politico in a statement that he thinks Puerto Ricans should have the same rights as Americans. He said he personally believes that statehood is the best way to guarantee equal rights and give Puerto Ricans full representation in government.

Perez is the first Latino elected chairman of the DNC.

Puerto Rico voted overwhelmingly in favor of statehood in a nonbinding resolution last week, with 97 percent supporting the measure. Voter turnout was only 23 percent, however.

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The governor of Puerto Rico will now choose two senators and five representatives to travel to Washington, D.C., and demand they be seated.

President Trump signaled during his presidential bid that he would consider statehood for Puerto Rico.