'I'm not laughing': Comedian's disparaging Puerto Rico joke sparks backlash in Pennsylvania
READING, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's comments about Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden is being felt in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state home to a significant number of Puerto Rican voters.
Democrats across the state are speaking out after racist jokes were made by a comedian at former President Donald Trump's rally in New York City on Sunday.
Several of those jokes were aimed at the Latino community, including people from the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
While members of Trump's team point to the fact this was a joke, Democrats say it's no laughing matter.
"There's a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think It's called Puerto Rico," Hinchcliffe said to the crowd.
The joke isn't getting many laughs, especially among Democrats in the Keystone State.
"I'm not laughing," said Eddie Moran, the Democratic mayor of Reading.
Latino Democratic leaders across the state spoke out Monday morning against the racist jokes by Hinchcliffe.
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"He has shown time and time again that he doesn't value us. That he doesn't value our votes. That he doesn't respect us as people," said Philadelphia City Councilwoman Councilwoman Quetzy Lozada, who is a Democrat representing the 7th District.
Michael Rivera, a Republican raised in Puerto Rico who serves on the Board of Commissioners in Berks County, condemned the joke in a statement to ABC News Monday night, calling it "not only appalling but deeply disrespectful."
"Such comments overlook the value of a people of rich cultural heritage and the significant contributions of Puerto Ricans to the United States," he added.
Rivera said he "appreciate[s] the Trump campaign's decision to distance themselves from [Hinchcliffe's] comments," but he told ABC News that a statement from Trump himself "would go a long way" toward appeasing Puerto Rican voters upset by the joke.
Rivera said he remained committed to voting for Trump, citing his record. However, he said some in his community are considering changing their vote after Hinchcliffe's comment.
Former President Barack Obama also responded on Monday to the disparaging comments.
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"So, the man holds this big rally at Madison Square Garden, and the warm-up speakers were saying the most - were trotting out and peddling the most racist, sexist, bigoted stereotypes. One guy called Puerto Rico, quote, 'an island of garbage,'" Obama said at Tuesday's "When We Vote, We Win" rally at Temple University. "These are fellow citizens he's talking about. Here in Philadelphia, they are your neighbors. They're your friends. They are your coworkers. Their kids go to school with your kids. These are Americans. They're people -- and that is the reason why this election should not be close. It should be clear."
The comments aren't just controversial, they could be consequential in Pennsylvania, where Puerto Ricans make up 3.7% of the population.
"It's a very close election. That 3.7% could sway at least Pennsylvania one way or the other," Michael Kozak, a Drexel University assistant professor.
More than 1,055,000 people in Pennsylvania are Hispanic. Nearly 250,000 Hispanic people live in Philadelphia.
The 6abc Data Team also found there are 486,111 Puerto Rican people in Pennsylvania. There are also 136,731 in Philadelphia.
In Reading, 30,980 people are Puerto Rican, which makes up 32.7% of that city's population.
"It's unacceptable. In my political career, as a grown man I've never felt so degraded," said Moran.
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Action News reached out to several people in the Trump campaign.
They directed us to a statement that reads, "This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign."
ABC News' Rachel Scott spoke to the former president by phone on Tuesday, where he denied knowing the comedian.
"I don't know him, someone put him up there. I don't know who he is," Trump told Scott.
She said Trump also insisted he didn't hear any of the comments.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is touting the support she's gotten in the Puerto Rican community.
"I'm very proud to have the support of folks like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez and others who were supporting me before that nonsense last night at Madison Square Garden," said Harris.
The controversy underscores the fact that, as Election Day draws near, there's a focus on the potential impact of the Latino vote.
"Something this close to the election could have an impact on the outcome of the election," said Kozak.
Action News also reached out to the Republican Party in Pennsylvania for comment. They did not respond.
ABC News contributed to this report.
