8 Names to Watch for 2014 Governor’s Race
Monday, May 28, 2012
The 2014 Governor’s race is still more than two years away, but with Governor Chafee and General Treasurer Gina Raimondo taking potshots at one another and Ernest Almonte having already thrown his hat in the ring, GoLocalProv takes a look at 8 key names to watch moving forward.
Gina Raimondo
As it stands now, the Treasurer is the likely favorite to be the Democratic nominee for Governor in two years. Raimondo is one of the most popular politicians in the state and is quick compiling a massive campaign war chest that will only grow once people are sure she’s running for the state’s top job.
Still, Raimondo does have her detractors. The liberal faction of the Democratic Party might seek out a more progressive candidate and the unions could still fall behind Governor Chafee in the general election.
Ernest Almonte
The only candidate to officially announce his plans to run in 2014, Almonte is well-respected and has been a leading voice behind the scenes when it comes to municipal pension reform. His task is to convince voters that he was sounding the alarm years ago as auditor general, but his critics will say he didn’t go far enough.
Almonte and Raimondo would seemingly be drawing from the same base, but his early entry might give him an advantage if he can lock up the support of city and town officials and other top Democrats.
Angel Taveras
Like Raimondo, Mayor Taveras’ impressive poll numbers have led to plenty of speculation that he’ll seriously consider a run for Governor in 2014. Although Taveras and Raimondo have taken a similar approach when it comes to fiscal responsibility, it seems as though Taveras has managed to maintain his progressive credentials, which could be vital if he were to lock up with the Treasurer in a primary. The Mayor is also considered a solid potential candidate for Congress.
Elizabeth Roberts
Although she has said she would be unlikely to run against Governor Chafee, it is doubtful that Roberts is ready to completely disappear from the public spotlight yet. The term-limed Lieutenant Governor could be the 2014 version of Myrth York in Democratic primary against Raimondo and Almonte. If she doesn’t decide to take a chance at the top job, Mayor of Cranston could be another option.
John Robitaille
The Republican nearly defeated Lincoln Chafee in 2010 and there is no reason to believe he wouldn’t garner plenty of support in a rematch if he decides to run. The former top Carcieri aide still has a strong support base and could probably convince potential primary challengers that he deserves another chance in the general election – which would allow him to focus on fundraising while the Democrats battle it out in the primary.
Allan Fung
If Robitaille chooses not to run, the Cranston Mayor is viewed as a solid option. In fact, as a popular municipal leader, he might have the most solid credentials of any politician on this list. His problem would be convincing some of the more conservative members of the Party that he isn’t just a Republican in name only.
Brendan Doherty
The current Congressional candidate is proving to be a solid fundraiser and depending on the outcome of his 2012 race, he could be a strong option for the Republicans in two years. If he loses this time around, he may want to jump right back on his horse and he would certainly love to challenge Chafe. If he can win in the 1st District, he’ll instantly become the most successful Republican in the state and would probably be able to convince any potential opponents to bow out if he opted to run for Governor.
Ken Block
The Moderate Party candidate in 2010 received high remarks for his debate skills and his vision, but he was unable to convince enough voters to take a chance on him with more prominent names like Chafee and Caprio on the ballot. But as a solid pro-business candidate, Block has plenty of appeal and would be able to hit the ground running with his campaign.
Dan McGowan can be reached at dmcgowan@golocalprov.com.
Comments:
tom brady
6:46am on Monday, May 28, 2012
We are screwed.
louis rizzo
7:02am on Monday, May 28, 2012
LINC WINS..AS A DEMOCRAT...hopefully I'm wrong but?
Michael Trenn
7:55am on Monday, May 28, 2012
ABC. After Congressmistake Chi Chi leaves, we can use it again.
Winston Smith
4:27pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
@Louis, Linc wins as a dem? Could he make it out of the primary if he did run as a dem? The 1st group to put up an opponenent would be the labor unions. Gina wouldn't be that person for the unions. It could be one nasty primary fight.
What would this all do? Usher in a Robitaille admin.
Winston Smith
4:29pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
...but don't ya love RI politics? the 2012 elections haven't even warmed up yet and we are talking 2014.
al toke
5:22pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012
two possible scenarios--------among many obviously
per Buddy Ciaci---if Obama is re-electd Chaffee gets a Federal appointment---my guess is EPA should that happen--and ..............
Liz becomes the Guv. and neither Chafe nor Gina get the Dem. nomination--it's all Roberts all the way..........I like that ! !
Chafee won't get the Dem. nod under any scenario and doubtful he can win a Dem. primary against anyone of Dem. stature who gets union support---same may be true of Gina----no union support for a Dem. primary
2nd scenario............win or lose the CD 1 race, Doherty is the Rep. candidate for Guv. in 2014-----forget Robitaile---he'll step for any job Doherty will give him
Winston Smith
7:30am on Friday, June 01, 2012
@Al Toke, I don't see Robitaille as Doherty's or anyone elses puppet.
in other matters, if and when Doherty wins CD1, why would he want to be Governor? Congress can be a life long job. Why switch to a term limited one?
Howard Miller
11:29am on Friday, June 01, 2012
i would like to announce that i will be running for Lt. Gov. let me tell you some of my positions this early in the game to see what you think first of all if you ask for a cold beer they will not be allowed to serve it in a plastic cup secondly if you go to a baseball game and a player gets a hit on artificial turf thru a drawn in infield to win the game not counted as a time at bat what do you think