Treasurer Raimondo & Mayor Taveras Campaigned for Speaker Fox Last Weekend
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
General Treasurer Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras –the two most popular politicians in the state— went door-to-door to campaign for House Speaker Gordon Fox over the Columbus Day weekend, GoLocalProv has learned.
Fox faces a challenge from Independent Mark Binder, who has criticized the Speaker’s handling of the 38 Studios deal as well as his unwillingness to bring same-sex marriage to a vote (Fox says a vote will take place in 2013). Binder has hired Jeff Britt, a former consultant to Fox, former General Treasurer Frank Caprio and former Governor Don Carcieri, to run his campaign.
Raimondo and Taveras, who are considered the leading Democratic candidates for Governor in 2014, have not been shy about getting involved this election season, offering endorsements to Congressman David Cicilline as well as several General Assembly candidates.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRaimondo, who pledged to support lawmakers who voted in favor of pension reform last year, actively supported Senate Finance Committee chairman Daniel DaPonte, Senate Judiciary Chairman Michael McCaffrey, Rep. Chris Blazejewski as well as candidates Mia Ackerman and Carolos Tobon in their bids to unseat legislators who voted against pension reform. Fox played a crucial role in helping move the reform efforts through the House of Representatives.
Taveras meanwhile supported Senate candidate Gayle Goldin as well as Rep. candidates Libby Kimzey and Joe Almeida, both of whom where challenging incumbent Democrats. Taveras, whose law office was located in the same building as Fox’s office before he became Mayor, has credited the Speaker with helping pass legislation that pulled the capital city back from the brink of bankruptcy. Rhode Island Public Radio was first to report that Taveras campaigned for Fox over the weekend.
Fox, who raised $39,150 between July 1 and Oct. 8, has also hired Democratic Party consultant Bill Fischer as his spokesman.
Dan McGowan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @danmcgowan.
