campaign finance

Can RI Elect Some Blue-Collar People to Congress? Part II

Ian Donnis — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:38:05 +0000

Former RI congressman Eddie Beard got held up last October as an example of something quite rare -- a blue-collar worker who went on to serve in the hallowed halls of the nation's capital.

If you want a sense of why this situation persists, consider the latest breakdown by the watchdog group MapLight of how much it cost to win a seat in Congress in 2012:

TGIF: 12 Things to Know About Rhode Island Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:33:38 +0000

We remain stuck in the pit of winter, judging by the forecast for the latest in a string of storms. Yet things are already percolating for our next massive political season, so let's get to it. As always, your thoughts, tips, and reactions are welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org.

Jack Reed Cruises into 2014 in Enviable Shape

Ian Donnis — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:10:35 +0000

The informal launch of Senator Jack Reed's campaign for his fourth term is set to start Sunday evening with a packed fundraiser at the Providence Biltmore.

TGIF: 12 things to know about RI politics + media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:42:20 +0000

Welcome back to my Friday column. (Sorry to miss you last week; there was a little snow, as you might have heard.) Your thoughts and email are welcome, as always, at idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org.

Shekarchi has his eye on the mayor's office in Warwick

Ian Donnis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:24:04 +0000

State Representative Joseph Shekarchi, who still has more than $82,000 in his campaign account after aggressively raising money during his rep run last year, is keeping a close eye on City Hall in Warwick.

The freshman Democrat from Warwick says he'd "absolutely" consider seeking the mayor's office if incumbent Scott Avedisian doesn't seek a ninth term in 2014.

Will this be the year when the General Assembly strengthens RI's gun laws?

Ian Donnis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Law enforcement officials have tried without success for years to make Rhode Island’s gun laws more stringent. They say tougher laws would help to deter gun-related violence. Now, in the aftermath of the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, the question remains whether Rhode Island will beef up its gun laws. For starters, gun control supporters will have to overcome powerful opposition from the National Rifle Association.

Raimondo sets the pace with a $1M bump in her war chest for 2012

Ian Donnis — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:07:02 +0000

State Treasurer Gina Raimondo lived up to her reputation as a high-flying political fundraiser in 2012, closing the year with an increase of more than $1 million in her campaign account.

Raimondo's Q4 report shows her with a balance of $1,359,191. That's an increase of $1,049,153 from where her campaign account stood ($310,038) at the start of 2012. It also puts her considerably ahead of Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, who closed 2012 with a balance of $413,283 (a gain of $288,148 from the start of the year).

Solomon’s war chest towers over council colleagues ahead of big Monday fundraiser

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

As he prepares for a possible mayoral run in 2014, Providence City Council President Michael Solomon has a big fundraising edge over his 14 council colleagues.

Solomon’s war chest was reported at almost $114,000 in a third quarter filing with the state Board of Elections — up from $84,923 at the end of Q1.

TGIF: 12 things to know about RI politics + media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:18:54 +0000

Batten down the hatches for Sandy and get ready for another version of my Friday column. Thanks for reading, and feel free to send me tips, comments, and the like: idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let’s get to it:

Lawyer for Fox’s campaign calls on WPRO to pull mystery ad

Ian Donnis — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 08:18:31 +0000

A law firm representing House Speaker Gordon Fox’s re-election campaign has written to WPRO general manager Barbara Haynes, asking that the radio station stop playing a “Fox in the Henhouse” mystery ad whose sponsor remains unknown.