Providence Dem Chair Ward Steps Down Over Meme
Saturday, February 10, 2018
GoLocalProv Political Team
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Patrick Ward
Providence Democratic City Chair Patrick Ward has stepped down from his position over a meme that he shared two months ago.
Ward is the husband of Council member Sabina Matos who was recently knocked from the Council Presidency last month.
“It has been a pleasure to serve as Chairman of the Providence Democratic City Committee this last year. It is apparent that recent events have caused a distraction on one of the most important elections in recent memory. It is but for my love of the Democratic Party that I feel it best to resign and continue my independent work for equality, representation and a voice for those less privileged,” said Ward in a statement.
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The resignation comes one day after Ward issued an apology via Facebook.
Ward posted:
My full apology to David Salvatore and John Igliozzi:
In December of 2017, I was going through a difficult period as I watched my wife lose her position as President of the Providence City Council. The swiftness of it took us by surprise and in a moment of weakness I posted a childish meme on social media. I deeply regret that moment and wish I could take it back.
I have nothing but the utmost respect for Council President Salvatore and Councilman Igliozzi. I hope they very much can find it in their heart to forgive me. In addition, I ask for the forgiveness of every member of the Providence Democratic City Committee and anyone else I may have offended with this foolish act.
Sincerely,
Patrick M. Ward
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Sponsor: GoLocalProv
Sample: N=403
Rhode Island General Election Voters Margin of Error: +/- 4.9% at 95% Confidence Level
Interviewing Period: October 9-11, 2017
Mode: Landline (61%) and Mobile (39%)
Telephone Directed by: John Della Volpe, SocialSphere, Inc.
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Unaffiliated: 49%
Democrat: 32%
Republican: 15%
Moderate: .4%
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50-50: 9%
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Wrong track: 45%
Mixed: 10%
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Jobs and economy: 21%
Education: 12%
Taxes: 12%
Roads: 12%
State budget: 9%
Corruption/Public integrity: .8%
Healthcare: 3%
Governor: 3%
Homelessness: 2%
Immigration: 2%
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Changed for the better: 35%
Changed for the worse: 16%
Not changed at all: 43%
Don't know/Refused: 5%
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Changed for the better: 26%
Changed for the worse: 19%
Not changed at all: 54%
Don't know/Refused: 1%
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Definitely reject: 48%
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18-24: 7%
25-34: 15%
35-44: 15%
45-54: 20%
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0-11: 2%
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Technical/Vocational school: 1%
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Graduate degree: 24%
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$150,000 or more: 13%
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English: 13%
Italian: 13%
Irish: 12%
Black or African American: 6%
Latino/Hispanic: 6%
French: 6%
Portuguese: 3%
Jewish: 3%
German: 1%
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Good: 29%
Fair: 23%
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Cannot rate: 8%
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Good: 30%
Fair: 20%
Poor: 18%
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Cannot rate: 11%
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Good: 28%
Fair: 30%
Poor: 31%
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Good: 16%
Fair: 21%
Poor: 8%
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Cannot rate: 25%
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Good: 20%
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Cannot rate: 19%
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Good: 18%
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Cannot rate: 21%
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