Next state Democratic Party chair should have principles (a work ethic would help, too)

Young Dems: replace Caprio with a liberal party chair

By Bob Plain in Rhode Island’s Future

The Young Democrats of Rhode Island says the next chairman of the state Democratic Party should reflect “both the best interests of Rhode Island and the principles of the national Democratic Party.”

“That includes,” they said in an email, “firm commitments to reproductive justice, gun safety reforms, repealing voter ID, and making government more accessible and transparent.”

David Caprio resigned yesterday from the post after an NBC 10 Parker Gavigan scoop about his beach concession stand contract. Gavigan reported that Caprio assumed the contracts after Cranston state Rep. Peter Palumbo won the bid, dropped out and then took a job managing the concession stands for Caprio.

Caprio is a conservative Democrat who was ousted from his legislative seat by progressive Democrat Teresa Tanzi in 2010. Caprio was recommended as chairman by former Speaker Gordon Fox.

Here’s the Young Democrats full press release:

Like many in the state, the Young Democrats of Rhode Island were surprised to learn of David Caprio’s resignation from the crucial role of Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair. We wish to sincerely thank him for his hard work and his many years of service to Rhode Island.

We now must look to the future; YDRI congratulates Representative Grace Diaz on her elevation to Acting Chair, and we wish her the best of luck during this time of transition.

The RI Democratic Party Chair plays a powerful but underappreciated role. The Chair facilitates connections between candidates and incumbents at every level of our state’s democracy, from our city and town committees up through the Governor’s office. The Chair wields and distributes both financial and informational resources, including fundraising support and access to our party’s voter tracking database.

Most importantly, the Chair must act as a visible embodiment of and vigorous advocate for the ideals of the Democratic Party.

It is with these responsibilities in mind that the Young Democrats of Rhode Island urges that we, as soon as possible, nominate a new chair that reflects both the best interests of Rhode Island and the principles of the national Democratic Party. 

That includes firm commitments to reproductive justice, gun safety reforms, repealing voter ID, and making government more accessible and transparent, positions that are keystones of the national Democratic Platform and popular with Rhode Islanders. 

As always, we are confident that a Rhode Island Democratic Party built on these principles will help level the playing field, expand economic opportunities, and raise the quality of life for Rhode Islanders—young and old—across our state.

Bob Plain is the editor/publisher of Rhode Island's Future. Previously, he's worked as a reporter for several different news organizations both in Rhode Island and across the country.

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