Candidates for Congress seize on comments stemming from Trump rally "garbage" joke

In nan location agelong of nan 2024 election, aft a racist remark astatine a Trump rally comparing Puerto Rico to garbage, some parties are trying to instrumentality governmental flames to pain nan guidance connected legislature races, successful summation to nan statesmanlike contest.

In nan hours aft comedian Tony Hinchcliffe told a racist joke astir Puerto Ricans astatine a rally for erstwhile President Donald Trump astatine Madison Square Garden connected Sunday, Democrats circulated a database of competitory U.S. House races successful which group of Puerto Rican descent dress up ample percentages of nan electorate.

Meanwhile, connected Wednesday, Republican operatives person tried to prehend connected a gaffe by President Biden, successful which he utilized nan word "garbage" to picture nan Trump protagonist who made nan racist joke. But Republicans person accused Mr. Biden of alternatively referring to each Trump supporters arsenic "garbage" and are trying to necktie Democratic legislature candidates to their accusation regarding nan president's words.

The dual controversies are being amplified and shifting nan closing messages successful nan last fewer days earlier Election Day, amid highly competitory contests for power of nan Senate and House.

According to a memo obtained by CBS News from Democratic run operatives, much than 10% of registered voters successful Pennsylvania's competitory 7th District House title are group of Puerto Rican descent. The memo besides said astatine slightest 4% of registered voters person ties to Puerto Rico successful a 3 competitory House races successful New York, 2 much successful Pennsylvania and astatine slightest 1 each successful Florida and Connecticut. 

Leaning into nan Madison Square Garden rally controversy, Rep. Susie Lee, a Pennsylvania Democrat defending nan battleground 7th Congressional District successful and astir Allentown, has already raised nan issue.   Speaking to nan Philadelphia Inquirer, "I americium proceeding much connected this than I've heard connected almost immoderate different rumor this full run season."

On Long Island, successful New York's competitory 4th District House race, Democratic campaigner Laura Gillen amplified nan firestorm complete nan racist joke Tuesday. Rep. Nydia Valazquez, a New York Democrat who was calved successful Puerto Rico, who was speaking astatine a Gillen run arena for mini businesses, referenced nan contention and joke.

Fighting to clasp a competitory spot successful Western Connecticut, Democratic Rep. Jahanna Hayes posted connected societal media, "Every person, not conscionable nan Puerto Rican community, should beryllium saddened and upset by nan behaviour of nan Trump rally astatine MSG."

Republicans meantime are seeking to magnify President Biden's imaginable gaffe from Tuesday.

"The President of nan United States conscionable smeared half of nan state – House Democrats tin speak up now to disagree, aliases their soundlessness will opportunity everything voters request to know," GOP North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson, who chairs nan National Republican Congressional Committee, said successful a statement.

Rep. Marc Molinaro, a first-term Republican who's trying to take sides his New York 19th Congressional District seat, posted connected societal media astir Biden's statement. Molinaro wrote successful part, "Biden says if you don't support Kamala Harris, you are garbage."

In:
• Joe Biden
• Kamala Harris
• Donald Trump
• Tony Hinchcliffe