Laufton Ascencao on how progressives can win campaigns
He may not have the Democratic Party’s endorsement, but Laufton Ascencao, running for state representative in District 68 (Bristol, Warren), knows exactly how to win races despite tall odds. He told me one of his first political litmus tests was during his time in Pittsburgh in 2013. There, while doing college organizing for the Obama […]
Raimondo’s pension cuts benefited hedge funds more than RI, says Brown
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown attacked pension cuts for state employees dating back to Governor Raimondo’s previous role as state treasurer at a town-hall style “Restore Our Pensions” event at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence on Monday evening. The event came mere hours after WPRI published polling results showing Brown lagging behind in name […]
Candidates for Ward 1 and Ward 12 square off
In one of the first opportunities for both city council incumbents and their challengers to be grilled by the public this campaign season, candidates from Ward 1 and Ward 12 (encompassing Downtown, Smith Hill, and Fox Point, among other neighborhoods) met at the Pavilion at Grace Episcopal Church in Providence this Tuesday during a Q&A […]
Progressive activists seek Providence City Council seats
The uproar in Rhode Island’s Democratic Party might also be seen in Providence City Council campaigns this summer as several new, progressive candidates are running races far to the left of longtime incumbents—often with the claim that the establishment has been largely absent from their constituents’ neighborhoods. Kat Kerwin Few are more pointed with this […]
‘Real’ Democrats call for McNamara to step down as party chair
A group called Rhode Island Democrats for a Real Democratic Party released a petition Tuesday calling for the revocation of two endorsements and the resignation of Democratic State Committee chair Rep. Joseph McNamara after several progressive female candidates were passed over for party endorsements. “We are outraged and appalled that the Rhode Island Democratic Party […]
Stage set for progressives to take over Rhode Island
As the deadline to run for elected office came and went Wednesday afternoon, there are more than a few political newcomers—many young, and many centered around social justice—that could constitute the makings of a progressive wave in Rhode Island. Governor Most notable might be the governor’s race, where Matt Brown promises to give incumbent Governor […]
Justine Caldwell to challenge Giarrusso for House seat
Progressive activist and East Greenwich resident Justine Caldwell announced she is considering running for House District 30 against incumbent Republican Anthony Giarrusso. Caldwell was an important part of the effort to remove Joe DeLorenzo from a leadership position in the Democratic Party, and her and husband David Caldwell have been key organizers in the effort […]
Russia didn’t hack Rhode Island’s election
Russia, or anyone else for that matter, didn’t disrupt Rhode Island’s voting systems during the 2016 election, according to the Secretary of State’s office. “We have not detected, nor received reports from any of our vendors or from the federal government regarding hacking attempts on our elections infrastructure,” said Nicole Lagace, a senior adviser and […]
The colossal failure of the DNC and the Clinton machine
It was a foregone conclusion that Clinton would be the nominee. No other candidate was given a chance. The insurgency of the Bernie Sanders campaign and the nationwide movement he inspired were an unwelcome distraction in the election process leading up to the inauguration of the first female President.
RI NOW endorses 9 for Senate, 26 for House
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 […]
Don’t vote your conscience
As the landscapes of media and communication continue to evolve, the lines between news, opinion and entertainment are blurring quicker than society can vet facts. Thus, there seems to be confusion over what is unsafe and what is uncomfortable. While the two concepts are not mutually exclusive, it is imperative to understand that neither are […]
Three governors were deposed about 38 Studios
When the cache of documents related to the ongoing 38 Studios lawsuit (click here to view or download) brought by Governor Linc Chafee was released on September 24, a wealth of information was opened up. After years of curiosity, the public was able to see almost totally the chain of events that led to one […]
Online voter registration bill passes RI House
The House floor saw heated debate Wednesday as representatives discussed the implications of bill H6051, which would allow electronic voter registration. The action would make Rhode Island the 28th state to do so, following a trend that has saved other states money and time, as well as helped to clear voter rolls during elections. Supporters […]
Addresses of convenience
One of the nice things about owning several properties is that when it comes to politics, you have lots of choices about where you can say you live. I’m not talking about the formal definition of legal residence, but “addresses of convenience.” Having an address of convenience gives you the choice of where to vote […]
Honor American vets, democracy with elections on Veterans Day
One thing all veterans have in common is their commitment to defend our democracy, namely the right to vote and self-govern. The right to vote defines our nation and the values we project internationally. It is the American brand, our trademark as the shining city on a hill. The importance of these values has been […]
It’s time for another People’s Pledge
As regular readers of RI Future know Common Cause Rhode Island pushed for a People’s Pledge in the race for governor last year. Despite some skeptics the three leading Democrats agreed to the Pledge in April. Up until the final days the Pledge held and we saw not a single TV or radio ad run […]
NBC 10 Wingmen: The primary elections, and more
This week on NBC 10 Wingmen, Justin Katz, Bill Rappleye and I talked about the primary elections. And, yes, we managed to squeeze in some anti-union rhetoric, as well. News, Weather and Classifieds for Southern New England You can also watch the lt. governor’s debate here: News, Weather and Classifieds for Southern New England
Lies, truthiness and one-liners: Democrats debate for governor
After a summer of spending millions to attack and fact check each other in TV commercials, the three leading Democrats running for governor took the opportunity to do so once more at their last debate before the primary. “My campaign alone has created more jobs in Rhode Island than Narragansett Beer,” Clay Pell quipped of […]
Why felons can run for office, Buddy Cianci edition
Buddy Cianci, the 73-year-old former mayor can probably think of no better way to go out than dying on a Kennedy Plaza throne and being brought down to Waterfire on a shield. Many people thought they have seen the last of him following five years in prison, but I’m pleased he is eligible to run […]
Conservatives shouldn’t scapegoat their losing streak
Justin Katz is really out in right field with this post. He starts off by making a decent point: Even if every Rhode Islander disagreed with a person’s policy suggestions, that doesn’t mean that those suggestions are wrong or are not the wisest thing that the state could do, in a particular instance. That’s right, […]
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