Game On: Record GOP Run for General Assembly
Thursday, July 01, 2010
For the Republicans, it’s game on.
A record number of GOP candidates are running for the General Assembly, positioning the party to capitalize on widespread voter discontent with Democrats in the November election.
By the close of filing period yesterday, 60 Republicans had filed to run for the state House and 28 had announced for the Senate—easily surpassing the 71 total candidates who ran in the last election for 113 legislative seats. And that does not count independents who will vote with Republicans, according to state chairman Giovanni Cicione. “In recent memory, no one I have talked to can remember having this number of candidates,” Cicione said.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOverall, more than 3,300 candidates filed for local, state, and federal office this year, an increase of 18 percent over 2008, according to Secretary of State Ralph Mollis.
Cicione said the surge in Republican candidates showed that Rhode Island could have its own Scott Brown moment—a Republican victory in a solidly blue state. “It really is truly something of that force,” Cicione said.
Just a few days ago, the situation was looking more challenging for the state party. Sunday night, Providence GOP chairman Dave Talan issued an mass e-mail to state Republicans warning that 30 Democrats could go unchallenged for the General Assembly. Within two days, nearly eight more candidates stepped up, he said.
“These are not traditional Republicans running to fill somebody’s seat,” Cicione said. “These are people who have had no interest or little interest in politics or party organization.”
Tea Party a Driving Force
One driving force is the Rhode Island Tea Party. While Cicione could name only a few candidates with direct ties to the Tea Party leadership, he said the movement had exerted its impact on virtually every race for the General Assembly. “The energy of the Tea Party has given people that are angry hope that they can do something,” he said.
The new crop of candidates, however, still faces some hurdles before the November election. One of the first ones is next month, when they have to collect enough signatures to get on the ballot—50 for state rep and 100 for senatorial candidates. Those have to be filed between July 7 and July 16.
The state GOP is also amassing a war chest to fund those campaigns. The party currently has only $10,000 to $15,000 available, but it is planning to raise $50,000 by the end of the summer and $200,000 in time for November, according to Cicione.
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