September 8, 2016 – RI Future

by Amanda Clarke and Melanie Carrazzo

The RI NOW Political Action Committee (RI NOW PAC) announced their endorsements in anticipation of the state primary elections on September, 13 2016.

The RI NOW PAC is excited to have so many candidates committed to improving the lives of women within the state of Rhode Island. Endorsed candidates have pledged their support on the issues of reproductive freedom, economic equality, ending violence against women, constitutional equality, civil rights for all, affirmative action and moving women out of poverty through empowering, non-punitive welfare policies.

“Currently women hold only 31 out of 113 seats in the RI General Assembly. The RI NOW PAC has endorsed 18 women so far in this election and we are thrilled to throw our support behind these candidates to increase gender parity in the General Assembly,” said Amanda Clarke, Chair of the RI NOW PAC. “We are also pleased so many men are willing to stand with women and fight for policy change to improve social and economic conditions for women in Rhode Island.”

The complete list of RI NOW PAC endorsements is as follows:

Rhode Island State Senate

Gayle Goldin, Senate District 3
Jonathan Hernandez, Senate District 6
Doris De Los Santos, Senate District 7
Matthew Fecteau, Senate District 8
James Seveny, Senate District 11
Dennis Lavallee, Senate District 17
Margaux Morisseau, Senate District 21
Stephen Archambault, Senate District 22
Jeanine Calkin, Senate District 30

Rhode Island House of Representatives

Edith Ajello, House District 1
Christopher Blazejewski, House District 2
Moira Walsh, House District 3
Aaron Regunberg, House District 4
Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, House District 5
Anastasia Williams, House District 9
Joseph Almeida, House District 12
Lisa Scorpio, House District 13
Art Handy, House District 18
Joseph McNamara, House District 19
David Bennett, House District 20
Eileen Naughton, House District 21
Jennifer Siciliano, House District 22
Julie Casimiro, House District 31
Carol Hagan McEntee, House District 33
Teresa Tanzi, House District 34
Kathleen Fogarty, House District 35
Larry Valencia, House District 39
William Deware, House District 54
David Norton, House District 60
Katherine Kazarian, House District 63
Jason Knight, House District 67
Susan Donovan, House District 69
Linda Finn, House District 72
Deborah Ruggiero, House District 74
Lauren Carson, House District 75

Local Races

Sandra Cano, Pawtucket City Council, At-Large
Meghan Kallman, Pawtucket City Council, Ward 5
Suzy Alba, Smithfield Town Council
Jeremy Rix, Warwick City Council, Ward 2
Elena Vasquez, Pawtucket School Committee

*Amanda Clarke is the RI NOW PAC Chair, Melanie Carrazzo is a member of the RI NOW PAC Board

Conservative activist Mike Stenhouse is getting involved in Democratic politics. One of the two non-profits he started to advocate for trickle-down economics paid for mailers targeting representatives Teresa Tanzi and Kathy Fogarty, both of whom face tough primary challenges and no Republicans after that.

“Those lawmakers that defied the business community and defied the will of the voters must be held accountable,” Stenhouse said.

The Gaspee Project spent $1335 on mailers to campaign against Tanzi and Fogarty. “The Tanzi one is out the door,” said Stenhouse. “There will be a Fogarty piece hitting a mailbox near you very soon.”

Stenhouse was quick to draw a distinction between the Gaspee Project, a 501c4 that can legally engage in electioneering, and the other advocacy group he started, the Center for Freedom and Prosperity, a 501c3 that cannot engage in election activities. “The Center is nonpartisan,” he said. “Gaspee in multi-partisan.”

He said the two organizations are legally separate, though they have two board members and some staff in common. “The Center (for Freedom and Prosperity) alone couldn’t move the policy ball, so I started a second organization,” Stenhouse said. “What we are doing here is trying to win. We are following the law and trying to get more policy that favors the free market.”

He wouldn’t say why Tanzi and Fogarty were singled out and other legislators with similar voting records were not. “Why would we broadcast our strategy,” he said.

Tanzi, a progressive legislator who forged a close relationship with House leadership, represents District 34. Fogarty represents District 35. Both districts encompass parts of Narragansett and South Kingstown.

The anti-Tanzi mailer encourages voters to “vote instead for Ewa Dwierzynski.”

“Let’s just say she’s clearly a superior alternative,” said Stenhouse.

In addition to the Gaspee Project mailer, Tanzi says Dwierzynski’s campaign has received ample support from right-wing conservatives. Dwierzynski’s campaign finance disclosure contains donations from Steve Tetzner and his family members. Tetzner is a Republican who ran against and lost to Tanzi in the last election.

“I guess the million dollar question is: are Republican-leaning views going to come out and vote in this primary,” said Tanzi. “Are they motivated enough to try to steal this election from Democratic voters?”

Day: September 8, 2016

RI NOW endorses 9 for Senate, 26 for House

Stenhouse attacks Tanzi, Fogarty with mailers