Is this Year's Mayoral Race the Dirtiest in Providence's History?
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
Is this Year's Mayoral Race the Dirtiest in Providence's History?
"I think the bar has risen, a lot's at stake -- it's the old Providence versus the new Providence," said State Representative and former interim Mayor John Lombardi. "With social media, cell phones, you have a greater likelihood at getting caught at something. I don't know why anyone wouldn't be on the up and up."
Lombardi questioned the process -- and role -- of mail ballots in continuing to being part of the potential for corruption.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Why, when I go vote at the polls, I have to use a magic marker, but I have to have a number two pencil with the mail ballots? By the way, a lot of people wouldn't happen to have a number two pencil at their home, I'm sure," said Lombardi.
Providence City Councilman Luis Aponte questioned the continuing issues facing the mail ballot process as well.
"Past elections have had mail ballot questions, and elections where people have been accused on either side of inappropriate behavior," said Aponte. "This is a tight election, and it's not been one that's been inspirational."
"I think this begs the question, "Is there a better way to do mail ballots?' The machines at least need to read the marker. If there's any opportunity to misuse mail ballots, then we need to do whatever we can do to make it a better process," said Aponte.
Ballot Tampering?
Cianci's campaign fired back, saying they had 'no knowledge' of the Crossroads incident, and would cooperate fully with any investigation.
On Sunday, a video appeared showing Elorza supporter and House Deputy Majority leader Scott Slater with what appeared to be an unsealed ballot at Providence housing complex on Saturday.
Slater, who is employed in the City of Providence as a budget analyst, denied any wrongdoing through a statement issued following the video's release.
“A woman I know, who is a constituent of mine, asked me to stop by and notarize her mail ballot. I did nothing out of the ordinary," said Slater. "I am not going to comment further on a video made by a political opponent of mine who has physically threatened me in the past."
The video was turned over to the police following the incident. "We have the video and we are looking into the matter," State Police Superintendent Colonel Steve O'Donnell said on Sunday.
Additional Allegations
"Saturday and Sunday morning, Buddy's signs in the East Side were damaged two nights in a row," said Hochman. "My large sign was one of them." Hochman noted that the police were looking into the reports.
Cianci supporter Kristen Roy, who was at the debate at the Southside Cultural Center on Broad Street last Wednesday, filed a police report following an altercation after the event during which Roy said she was struck by Elorza supporter Pat Cortellessa.
"He was yelling and screaming at some Cianci people, he said, "You're all stupid." said Roy, who said she was then struck in the arm by Cortellessa. "I thought people should know -- no man should hit a woman. I was just a girl at a debate." WPRI reported Sunday that the police issued an arrest warrant for Cortellessa.
Elorza's campaign weighed in on Sunday on the tone and tenor of the campaign to date.
"Providence's voters want honesty and integrity in this election and an ethical and transparent government at City Hall. That's the kind of race that we are running and the style of leadership that Jorge will bring to the Mayor's Office. There can be no tolerance for any activities that undermine the integrity of our electoral process," said Elorza spokesperson David Ortiz. "We are formally requesting that the state Board of Elections consult with law enforcement investigators and use its full authorities to investigate any and all allegations of ballot tampering and voter fraud and ensure a fair, safe, and legal election where the rights of all voters are protected."
Historian -- and Elorza supporter -- H. Phillip West Jr. pointed to the past investigation into Cianci's prior ballot issues as having renewed relevance in this election.
"I'm glad the ProJo reprinted its 1983 story about how supporters of then-Mayor Vincent Cianci had “abused the Rhode Island mail ballot law on a large scale” during his campaign for reelection in 1982," said West. "Of 1,438 mail ballot voters signed up by Cianci supporters, reporters were able to find and interview 118. Of those 72 percent “gave accounts that indicated abuse.” Abuses reported in the story were numerous enough to have swayed the outcome."
The Cianci campaign declined comment on Sunday, noting Cianci would be having a press conference on Monday about the Slater video, and the "general lack of civility" in the campaign.
10 Factors - Cianci or Elorza
Latino Vote
Elorza Must Win the Latino Vote
In the Democratic primary, Council President Michael Solomon beat Elorza in most of the Latino wards of Providence. In a strange but true scenario, the first-generation Guatemalan candidate lost out to the old-school candidate of Arab decent.
Yes, Providence for all of its claimed Progressive ways is still a City of ethnic politics. Elorza must win the Latino vote.
One Southside Providence City Council member says Elorza may not win the Hispanic vote and that Cianci may have the edge.
East Side Margin
East Side Margin – Can Buddy Lose 60-40 and Win?
In 2010, Angel Taveras crushed his two opponents – John Lombardi and Steven Costantino -- on the East Side. As GoLocal’s former reporter Dan McGowan posted on WPRI.com, "In the three-way Democratic primary in 2010, Angel Taveras won 73% of the vote on the East Side."
Now, if Cianci were to be able to lose Wards 1, 2 and 3 by just a 60% to 40% margin it would be difficult for Elorza to win.
Two factors: Cianci historically has done better on the East Side over the decades that folks remember and he is perceived to be someone who can get things done.
The second factor is that Cianci has the support of Ward 3 Councilman Kevin Jackson. He has a track record of electoral success and being able to deliver Mount Hope votes. Then-Speaker Gordon Fox's survived in 2012 due to Jackson’s help.
The danger for Elorza is the opinion voiced in a recent New Yorker piece about Cianci. “It’s harder to hate someone when they’re sitting right in front of you,” Tom (Runco) said. He had been in the anyone-but-Buddy camp, but he was reconsidering. “Our friends warned us not to get taken in: ‘He puts on a good show, but don’t believe a word he says.’ Well, unless you hook him up to a polygraph, I guess it’s impossible to know.”
Anti-Buddy
Is Elorza More than Anti-Buddy?
The biggest problem for Jorge Elorza is that many of his advisors are so passionate about defining Cianci as the anti-Christ that Elorza has been unable or not allowed to define his vision for Providence.
Sometimes Elorza sounds like Angel Taveras 2.0 with a Head Start to Harvard message (same prss secretary) and other times he sounds like the “man with the plan” – a Brett Smiley lite messaging.
With just two weeks to go can Elorza not only needs to define a vision for Providence, but he also needs to create some excitement about his vision.
Pot Hole
Pothole Election
The biggest danger for Elorza is that this race comes down to a potholes race, i.e., who is better at fixing potholes.
One of the reasons Providence Mayor Angel Taveras could not even carry his own city of Providence was that in the proceeding 12-months, Providence residents spent their days weaving in and out of giant pot holes.
If Providence voters decide they are willing to swallow a little national embarrassment by electing Cianci to avoid annual $1,000 repair bills on their front ends, then Elorza is in trouble.
GOTV
Machine
Elorza’s get out the vote on primary day performed well. Now, it is Varsity time.
Without a doubt Elorza will benefit from a coordinated campaign that is organized to drive votes for the Democratic ticket from Gina Raimondo down the ballot to Nellie Gorbea.
In contrast, Cianci will be implementing his long-standing old school machine GOTV effort.
In past history, not Dorley, not Darrigan, not Lippitt, not Annaldo, and not Jabour could compete with Cianci’s organization, but remember it has been 15 years since the Cianci machine was driven.
Unions
Unions
Clearly the public unions don’t have the impact that they did back in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Many of the employees have moved out of the City so their voting impact is minimized.
However, Cianci swept the endorsements and those organizations – Police, Teachers, Fire and Public Employee unions. There impact will matter in direct mail, phone banks and Election Day GOTV.
Hipsters
Hipsters
One block of voters outside of the East Side firmly in Elorza’s column are the young, hipsters living in downtown, on Broadway and throughout the West End. This group wants a young, ethical leader that will help reverse many of the negative trends Providence is facing relating to unemployment and economic opportunity.
A recent New York Times story, entitled, “Where Young College Graduates Are Choosing to Live,” featured the cities that are now the destination for the young and educated – cool cities like Denver, and Portland, OR. Guess which city ranked among the worst – you guessed it, Providence.
These voters want to see Providence be on this list of the best cities for young people.
God
God
An overwhelming number of Latino voters active Catholics. Religion has a significant role in their family, their community and this year – maybe in politics.
A 2010, Law Journal article written by Elorza has opened the door about Elorza’s belief in God. The writing was first unveiled by progressive blogger Steve Ahlquist in RI Future, “Now this all sounds very much like the kind of paper an atheist might write.”
On Tuesday, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence, Thomas Tobin raised serious concerns about Elorza’s belief in God. He wrote, “Now I should emphasize that being an atheist would neither recommend nor disqualify him from being Mayor of Providence. But I wonder if an atheist mayor would be in a position to respect the sincere convictions of believers (of all faiths) and to encourage and support the many contributions the faith community makes in our city and state.
So, can anyone help determine: Is Jorge Elorza an atheist or not? It would be good to know before Election Day.”
For a candidate looking to build Latino momentum having a Catholic Bishop raise questions about your commitment to the Church is not helpful.
City Finances
Managing City Finances – Unholy Alliance
The benefit for Cianci of getting the support of the public unions has already been highlighted, but the weakness is that the rest of City taxpayers may be concerned that Cianci and the unions have made unsavory deals which will further adversely impact the city of Providence’s fragile finances.
Elorza can score points beyond the East Side that Cianci’s wheeling and dealing with the public unions may ensure more financial chaos and tax increases.
Those endorsements did not come for free.
Energy
Energy
The biggest issue for Elorza to exploit is to project an image one of energy, youth and new big ideas. The reality has been that up until today, Cianci has held serve on energy and vision. With all the national attention – NYT, Politico, New Yorker, Meet the Press, etc – it seems as if Cianci is everywhere.
Elorza needs to project a high-energy leader who has big ideas and can implement big ideas. Voters know that Cianci has a track record of accomplishments – even for a guy 73-years-old.
Who will standout in the final days?
