Fecteau: Raimondo Deserves a Credible Primary Opponent
Thursday, December 08, 2016
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo should face a sincere and credible primary opponent this coming election season. Even with such a controversial tenure, she seems beholden to no one. Voters deserve answers, but Raimondo apparently always fails to provide them.
Like Mr. David Cicilline when he ran for Congress citing his superficial successes as then-mayor of Providence, Raimondo ran on a change agenda. She cited her pension reforms as proof, she stabilized the looming financial crisis. Yet, again like Cicilline, Raimondo left some significant problems for the next officeholder to clean up. Raimondo’s investments cost Rhode Islanders a lot of money, and are almost consistently underperforming the market.
The near-constant blunders as governor aren’t helping matters much. Raimondo was captain of the ship during the $5 million Rhode Island tourism campaign debacle (Remember Cooler warmer?). Her taxpayer-funded trip to attend a fundraiser in California was an unfortunate decision. There were those questionable presidential polling location closures that Raimondo claims she knew nothing about – some argue it was meant to skew the Rhode Island vote in favor of Mrs. Hillary Clinton. Oh yeah, who can forget the controversial hiring on former state Rep. Donald Lally as an advisor for her administration? These are disastrous optics for the Raimondo administration.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEven infrastructure funding has become controversial. To begin with, Raimondo’s endorsed toll plan will hurt businesses throughout the state. This was just one more tax on an already overtaxed state (call it what you will, the tolls are a tax). She signed her proposal into law early 2016 for a reason, so it would be in the rearview mirror when the election rolls around again.
When Raimondo’s announced her candidacy for governor, she proclaimed her support for progressive values, but only in the interim. Raimondo is seemingly a centrist, that masqueraded as a progressive Democrat in the primary to placate her vocal left wing critics; many Democrats who supported her have a case of buyer’s remorse.
Mrs. Raimondo does have some successes. She brought jobs to our state, but also, there were a number of companies that left or laid-off employees such as CVS. The Raimondo administration will acknowledge a number of jobs were created, but the answer is more muted when it comes to the jobs lost.
To the umbrage of some, her progressive promises have even fallen flat. Mrs. Raimondo’s promises of tougher gun laws, and an executive order for licenses for undocumented immigrants never came to fruition. The minimum wage in Rhode Island is still comparatively insignificant to the high cost of living. These issues only highlight how disappointing her administration has been for everyone.
Part of it is not her fault. Mrs. Raimondo inherited quite a mess from the previous officeholder. The Rhode Island governorship is also one of the weakest in the country. Mrs. Raimondo is at the mercy of the conservative leaning Rhode Island Democratic speaker of the house. However, Raimondo knew what she was walking into. Naiveté is simply no excuse.
Presently, Mrs. Raimondo is on politically dangerous territory. Progressive Democrat, and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders beat a better funded, and organized establishment democratic president candidate Mrs. Clinton here. Raimondo should not take progressives for granted. If she does, she risks a lot of people either staying home or voting third party this coming election (sound familiar?).
Mrs. Raimondo’s approval rating barely ekes above 40% for a reason — making her one of the least popular governors throughout the country. Some of it has to do with her inability to connect working and middle-income families she represents (she is an asocial introvert), but much of it has to do with the fact she is so inundated with controversy, makes poor decisions, and has a track record that doesn’t correspond with her campaign promises.
I sincerely like Mrs. Raimondo; I do, but she needs to be held accountable for her disastrous track record. A primary opponent would likely be beneficial for Rhode Islanders. We need to have a discuss about the direction of our state from a Democratic vantage point, and get those answers we so rightly deserve.
I wish Raimondo the best, but certainly would love a viable alternative on the Democratic side. While writing this, I attempted to contact the Raimondo administration several times, but with little luck. This is just one of many reasons her poll numbers keep sinking or stagnating; she is one of the most inaccessible officials throughout the state unless you attend her fundraisers (of course). Raimondo is not a monarch; she represents the people. With so much baggage, it just doesn’t make sense, not to reach out to the voters whom you represent.
Mrs. Raimondo, as you can see from the last presidential election, politics as usual can be toxic to your political career; give transparency and engagement a try. An honest primary challenge should be well in order, and the Democrats should rally around the nominee even if the winner of the primary isn’t Mrs. Raimondo.
Matt Fecteau ([email protected]) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island was a Democratic candidate for office in 2014 and 2016. He is a former White House national security intern and Iraq war veteran.
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