Democrats

Seth Magaziner Considering a Run for Treasurer in 2014

Ian Donnis — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:45:25 +0000

Seth Magaziner, who would add an unabashedly progressive profile to the 2014 campaign season, is considering running for treasurer next year.

UPDATE: Via email, Magaziner confirms that he's looking at the race, adding that he's still early in the process:

Over the past few days, a number of people have encouraged me to run for General Treasurer should the position become open. I haven't made any decisions yet, but am considering the possibility.

Driscoll heading to new gig, with Organizing for Action

Ian Donnis — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:48:09 +0000

Devin Driscoll, communications head for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage -- which led the grassroots campaign to legalize same-sex marriage -- is heading to a new job, as the Chicago-based Northeast regional director for Organizing for Action, the Democratic effort formerly known as Obama for America.

Tencher joining Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee as Campaign Director

Ian Donnis — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:31:13 +0000

West Warwick native Paul Tencher is set to become the campaign director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The move comes after Tencher managed Democrat Joe Donnelly's winning Senate campaign in Indiana over Republican Richard Mourdock last year.

Tencher is expected to focus on aiding Democratic Senate candidates in states won last year by Mitt Romney.

By email, he says:

Friday, March 8, 2013

Lydia Rogers — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:47:08 +0000

RI was largely spared the latest snow storm, but that was not the case for our neighbors in MA and CT. The state's economy is improving. These stories and more on the Morning News Podcast.
Plus this week's guest on Political Roundtable is Woonsocket City Council President John Ward.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

RI May Step Back from Voter ID Law

Ian Donnis — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:04:58 +0000

A controversial Voter ID bill that became law in 2011 could face changes at the General Assembly, including possible repeal. The passage of the law by a Democratic-controlled legislature attracted national attention.

Supporters of Voter ID call it a way to protect the integrity of voting. But critics say requiring voters to prove their identity reduces turnout by minorities and other groups that usually support Democrats.

Straight party voting not a simple issue in RI

Scott MacKay — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:16:08 +0000

Just about every good government group in Rhode Island is pushing for an end to the so-called master lever option on state ballots. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay explains why this is not a panacea for what ails our state’s political culture.

It has become an article of faith in Rhode Island among the self-styled government reform groups, most statewide elected politicians and the chattering pundit classes that our state needs to get rid of that relic of urban machine politics, the master lever.

Chafee declares support for eliminating the master lever

Ian Donnis — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:18:27 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee is throwing his support behind eliminating the master lever.

“It is time for Rhode Island to join the majority of states and eliminate the Master Lever from the ballot,” said Governor Chafee. “Any mechanism that contributes to voter confusion – and worse, voter disenfranchisement – should not be on the ballot. Its time has come.”

In a news release, the governor says eliminating the master lever will further align Rhode Island with neighboring states and provide its citizens with more open and transparent government.

Raimondo looks to broaden her base heading into 2013

Ian Donnis — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 15:48:00 +0000

Why would a freshly minted political star who has already banked more than $1 million in campaign fundraising stage a $25-per-person (suggested) football-watch event at a barbecue-burger joint in Providence’s Jewelry District on a Monday night in December?

If you’re state Treasurer Gina Raimondo, the answer probably has to do with expanding her base of support in the run-up to the 2014 gubernatorial race.

16 names to consider as the next chair of the RI Democratic Party

Ian Donnis — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:00:00 +0000

UPDATE: Former state Democratic chairman Bill Lynch, who gave up the post in 2010, says he said “no” after being asked recently if he might be interested in returning as chair “It doesn’t fit professionally with what I am doing right now,” says Lynch, a lawyer at Adler Pollock & Sheehan.

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With state Democratic Party chairman Edwin Pacheco mulling a run for secretary of state in 2014, party insiders are already talking succession.

Are RI Republicans listening?

Scott MacKay — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:00:00 +0000

From the White House to the State House, Republicans were blown out last week. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay on what’s next for the beleaguered Rhode Island GOP.

As 2012 spills into 2013, the Rhode Island political trend worth watching is how Republicans deal with the drubbing their party took at almost every level. Republicans actually lost state House and Senate seats and were crushed in elections for U.S. Senate and House. You have to go back to the mid-1970s to find a time when no Republican served in either statewide or federal office.