Rhode Island GOP
Sometimes, when assessing the political field based on available information, a commentator rightly worries that he presumes too much. And sometimes the politicians are quick to add evidence that he does not. For example, in the midst of early bantering in the RIGOP primary for the first-district Congressional race, over early support for John Loughlin…
I’ve been approaching with similar skepticism the two new faces to the RIGOP, both running for high-profile national offices based mainly on various news reports. A look at their campaign “issues” pages, however, does point to some distinctions — not necessarily huge distinctions on the stances that they take, but certainly in the extent to…
Seeing a conspiracy would go a bit far, but this does suggest that the two new faces of the RIGOP are taking similar guidance from local sources: [Republican Congressional Candidate Brendan Doherty] also paid $10,786 to the same Vermont fundraising consultant, Darcie Johnston, working with Barry Hinckley, the Newport Republican hoping to unseat U.S. Sen.…
Two interesting threads have emerged in the comments to my post on Republican factionalism. They’re on entirely different topics, but I think there’s something similar in the way they hinge on what I see as erroneous definitions. Quoting me, commenter Mangeek takes up the question of abortion: “I find the ‘personally pro-life; politically pro-choice’ position…
It had seemed to me that Chafee’s senatorial defeat and subsequent departure from the Republican Party eased the factionalism that had previously played a role in Rhode Island Republicans’ tendency to trip over each other. It merits watching to see whether the congressional district 1 race brings that division back, and who will be on…
The horror. Congressman David Cicilline would lose to his Republican opponent by more than 10 points if an election were held today, according to an exclusive WPRI 12 poll that finds many voters are unhappy with the first-term Democrat. The new survey of 300 registered voters in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District shows Cicilline’s 2010…
G. Wayne Miller of the Projo is reporting that former state police Superintendent Brendan Doherty will announce his candidacy for Rhode Island’s First District Congressional seat on Thursday… A longtime Cumberland resident, Doherty will make his formal announcement at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at Imperial Packaging Corp., a Pawtucket manufacturer.Meanwhile, Ian Donnis of WRNI (1290AM)…
Following an unofficial vote of no-confidence in Robert Watson as Rhode Island House Minority Leader, and an official vote to replace him with Rep. Brian Newberry, Representatives Laurence Ehrhardt and Jack Savage have decided to caucus separately from the rest of the Republicans, according to a statement made by Rep. Ehrhardt on this morning’s WPRO…
Steve Klamkin of WPRO radio (630AM) is reporting that Robert Watson has been replaced as RI House Minority Leader by Rep. Brian Newberry.
Ken McKay Elected GOP Chair; Frias, Buongiovanni, Lund and Holmes Win the Other Leadership Positions
Will all-things-Republican Ricci has posted the official results from today’s RI GOP Statewide convention on his Facebook page…I’m back from the quickest and least contentious RI Republican Party Convention, I think ever. Congratulations to our all new party leadership team, led by our new RIGOP Chairman Ken McKay, 1st Vice-Chair Steve Frias, 2nd Vice-Chair Brian…