On losing

Winners and losers in Tuesday’s primary

By Will Collette

I hate to lose. That’s one reason why, through most of my adult life, I have stayed away from electoral politics and focused instead on classic, Alinsky-style community organizing and strategic campaigns. In electoral politics, you put all your money on a single-roll of the dice and it’s win or lose on election day. In organizing or in strategic campaigns, there’s always a Plan B.

Since I’ve gotten more heavily engaged in electoral politics after returning home to Rhode Island in 2002, I have rediscovered how much I dislike that one-throw-of-the-dice aspect of electoral politics.

When I pick a candidate, I am almost always fully dedicated to what that person believes in. I’ve turned down work this year as in past years for candidates I didn’t know or didn’t like. Before I commit my time, I want to believe in that candidate.

So Tuesday’s primary results were a big disappointment since only one of the four candidates I supported won. I had picked Clay Pell for Governor, Frank Ferri for Lieutenant Governor, Seth Magaziner for General Treasurer and Guillaume DeRamel for Secretary of State. I made each choice based on whether I felt I could trust them and whether their values aligned with my own. Even after Tuesday’s result, I would not change one of my picks.

Come out and vote in Tuesday’s primary

Important choices to be made

By Will Collette

If you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain. On Tuesday, Rhode Islanders will have the opportunity to pick who will go on through to the General Election in November to compete for the positions of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, General Treasurer and Secretary of State. Democrats are embroiled in hot primaries for all four positions.

On the Republican side, the only hot race is the one for Governor that pits two RINOs, Ken Block and Allan Fung, against each other. Lieutenant Governor Catherine Taylor (R) faces only token opposition from perennial candidate and full-time crazy Kara Young.

All of these positions are open seats because the present office holder is either term-limited from running again or has chosen a different future. There is no primary for Attorney General because incumbent Peter Kilmartin faces no Democratic primary opponent and Republican Dawson Hodgson does not have a Republican challenger.

Click here for the sample ballot. Don't forget to bring your photo ID.

There are no local primary races for any Charlestown positions. In neighboring House District 35, incumbent Spencer Dickinson (D) is in a rematch primary battle with Kathy Fogarty.

Polls open in Charlestown at 9 AM.

Thursday event for Frank Ferri

“No business wants to come to a place where the government can’t be trusted”

Lt Gov. hopeful Ferri has a plan to reform lobbying

By Bob Plain in Rhode Island’s Future

Rep. Frank Ferri testifies on his bill that would reform pay day loans
in RI. In the background is Bill Murphy, former House
speaker, a lobbyist opposed to the reform

Frank Ferri, who bills himself as a “progressive Democrat for Lt. Governor,” released a plan today that would distance legislators from lobbyists during the session, and double the time retired legislators have to wait to become paid lobbyists.

“No business wants to come to a place where the government can’t be trusted,” according to his plan, which you can read here.

Ferri, a state representative from Warwick running for lt. governor against Ralph Mollis and Dan McKee, said:

Young Dems endorse Donna Walsh, Cathie Cool Rumsey

YDRI endorse Magaziner, Ferri, no one for governor

Also Teresa Tanzi, Larry Valencia and Kathy Fogarty

By Bob Plain in Rhode Island’s Future

The Young Democrats of Rhode Island have endorsed 19 legislative candidates, three congressional candidates, two municipal candidates, two statewide office-seekers but no one for governor, according to a press release from the group.

To the left, see their list of legislative candidates, in graphic format (Or read their press release here).