Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - September 16, 2016

Friday, September 16, 2016

Russ Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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Russ Moore

Every Friday, GoLocalProv's Russ Moore breaks down who is rising and who is falling in RI politics, business, and sports. Moore has worked on both sides of the desk in Rhode Island media, both for newspapers and on political campaigns. 

 

Related Slideshow: Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not? - September 16, 2016

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HOT

Marcia Ranglin-Vassell

The Providence school teacher scored a major upset victory in the House District 5 primary, edging out House Majority Leader John DeSimone. Ranglin-Vassell overcame a significant cash deficit to best the long-time legislator and send shock waves through the Rhode Island political establishment and hand the state’s progressives the biggest feather in their cap.

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HOT

Steve Frias

The Republican establishment champion easily beat back a challenge from Patricia Morgan backed Shawna Lawton and is poised to give House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello fits in his western Cranston district. It will be interesting to see if Frias can pull off the autumn upset in a district that’s not adverse to voting for Republicans.

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HOT

Anastasia Williams

I have a feeling that 10 years from now, most of the good government reformers and other cautious legislators will be out of the legislature—either by losing an election or becoming frustrated by politics. But Williams will still be at the statehouse. Williams, the ethically challenged legislator plagued by issues at the John Hope Settlement House, beat back a challenge by Michael Gazdacko on Tuesday evening.

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HOT

Kelsey Swanson

This year’s Miss Rhode Island USA has overcome some serious adversity and has shown us the value of perseverance. Swanson was in a serious car accident over a year ago, and if that wasn’t bad enough, found out that she had a brain tumor as a result. After successfully having it removed, she has won this year’s pageant after having narrowly lost the crown in the two previous years.

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HOT

Jim Hummel

The former ABC 6 reporter and founder of The Hummel Report has taken over as the host of PBS’s A Lively Experiment. Hummel’s take no prisoners and ask tough questions style of journalism should make him an excellent host of one of the state’s best political commentary shows.

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HOT

Charles Lombardi

The outspoken Mayor from North Providence scored a decisive victory in the state’s most high profile primary on Tuesday over Kristen Catanzaro. North Providence voters clearly appreciate Lombardi’s no nonsense, tough guy image.

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HOT

Bill Lynch

The former Democratic Party Chairman is taking criticism from both the Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Brandon Bell and the leader of the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, Sam Bell, over his comments calling them “Daddy Bell and Baby Bell”. His joke aside, his larger point was spot on. The progressives didn’t make the massive gains they’re claiming and Republicans should be bemoaning these results in any event.
 

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NOT

Nicholas Mattiello

It’s not easy being king. Yes, the House Speaker’s endorsed candidates prevailed in many of their respective races. But Mattiello is now being attacked at all angles. The progressive wing of the Democrat Party has certainly picked up more seats and strengthened their position. They may try to outright oust Mattiello (assuming he’s there next term). And even if they don’t, the progressives will certainly try to exert more control over the legislative agenda. Meanwhile, he faces a stiff challenge for the representative seat he currently holds in western Cranston from Steven Frias.

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NOT

Jorge Elorza

The Mayor endorsed House Majority Leader John DeSimone over Marcia Ranglin-Vassell in the race for state representative in Providence’s District-5, but it wasn’t enough to carry him to victory, which suggests support from Mayor Elorza isn’t as effective as one might hope. Further, while the mayor renegotiated a contract with the firefighters that he believes will save $15 million over 5 years, he still hasn’t explained how he will resolve the roughly $9 million dollar dispute with the firefighters from overtime they believe they’ve worked since he restructured the department in the summer of last year.

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NOT

ProvPlan

The organization founded in the early nineties to collect municipal data to allow for better decision making is now under a cloud of uncertainty.  The organization’s Director of Finance Charles Denno was forced out in late July and just this week, executive director Patrick McGuigan resigned under a cloud of uncertainty. Sources say there’s an investigation about the potential misuse and even embezzlement at ProvPlan, which has received tens of millions in federal funds and private grants over the last few years.  

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NOT

Rhode Island Republicans

My confusion over the antics and thought processes of the state’s establishment Republicans continues. There were more than a few Republicans on social media saluting the fact that progressives scored some victories over establishment Democrats. What’s confusing is that the establishment Democrats are generally considered more conservative than the ultra-left leaning progressives who defeated them. That’s a cause of sorrow, not celebration, if you’re a conservative.

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NOT

Providence Journal

The hits just keep on coming for the state’s largest newspaper. The paper has seen its circulation decline in recent years and has lost scores of reporters and other employees. Last week, the paper announced that highly respected political columnist Ed Fitzpatrick is leaving the paper to become the Director of Media and Public Relations, effective October 5.

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NOT

Voter Turnout

Let’s call a spade a spade: Rhode Island is a heavily Democratic state. That means the primary is really the most important election of the season, since it determines who will hold the legislative seats in so many districts. So it’s hard to not be disappointed by a voter turnout that doesn’t even reach single digits. Rhode Islanders are never going to get the government they deserve until they start getting more involved in their government. 

 

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