Ben Carson thinks Puerto Rico should become the 51st state

Ben Carson.
(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In Puerto Rico on Sunday, Ben Carson said he'd like to see the island become the 51st state.

The Republican presidential candidate made the announcement at a rally for gubernatorial candidate Ricky Rosselló, who is running on a pro-statehood platform. "You've already paid your dues," Carson said. "There have probably been more patriotic Puerto Ricans than any other state. Look at all the contributions that have been made to America."

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.