RI Campaign Update – Democrats Urge King to Return Florida License
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
State Democrats call on Republican candidate to turn in his Florida license. Taylor praises General Assembly for plans to put its votes online. Romney endorses, but does not donate to Robitaille.
Democrats: King Must Turn in Florida License
The state Democratic Party yesterday called on Republican General Treasurer candidate Kerry King to turn in his Florida license after news reports that he had licenses for both that state and Rhode Island. Democrats said having two licenses was against Rhode Island law.GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST
“It’s hard to determine whether Kerry King is running for General Treasurer in Rhode Island or Florida,” said Democratic chairman Ed Pacheco. “Maybe sometime during his travels back and forth between his two residences, he can find the time to abide by Rhode Island general laws, and turn in his Florida license.”
King has admitted to receiving a homestead exemption on his Florida home, saying it was an oversight.
“Kerry King needs to fully comply with the laws of Rhode Island, which as Governor Carcieri’s former executive counsel, he should know,” Pacheco added.
King’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Taylor Praises General Assembly on Transparency
Catherine Taylor, the Republican candidate for Secretary of State, commended House Speaker Gordon Fox for announcing on Monday that the General Assembly would be putting votes of its members online at the start of the next session.
“Traveling across Rhode Island and speaking with voters, I have heard time and again that the citizens of Rhode Island want full information about their legislature. We deserve it and we are entitled to it. The time has come to make this information easily accessible,” Taylor said.
“Last year's legislation calling for the online posting of legislative votes languished in committee,” Taylor added. “I truly hope that Speaker Fox and other members of the House and Senate leadership are committed to going forth with this initiative. I look forward to the full announcement from Speaker Fox detailing exactly what changes are to be implemented.”
As Secretary of State, Taylor said she looked forward to working with the House and Senate leadership to putting the votes online.
Romney Endorses, but Does not Give to Robitaille
Former Massachusetts governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney endorsed John Robitaille for governor yesterday but did not donate to his campaign. He did endorse and did donate to two Republican Congressional candidates—Mark Zaccaria and John Loughlin, in the Second and First District respectively.
The donations were made through Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC. Because it is not registered with the state of Rhode Island, it could not give money to Robitaille, unlike the two federal candidates, according to Mike Napolitano, a spokesman for Robitaille.
The state Democratic Party issued the following statement on the endorsements yesterday:
“What a surprise: one right-wing Republican who supports privatizing Social Security and repealing health care reform is supporting other right-wing Republicans who support the exact same failed policies,” said party chairman Ed Pacheco. “Today’s announcement from Mitt Romney, who once said he wanted to ‘double the size of Guantanamo’ and actively supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq, shows that John Loughlin and Mark Zaccaria stand far beyond the mainstream for Rhode Island voters.
“After seeing Loughlin trot out endorsements from Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney, who knows which national Republican he will bring to Rhode Island next?”
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