Decision RI: All You Need to Know for Tuesday's Primary

Kevin Aherne (@KAherne17)

The mud has been slung, the endorsements have been granted, and agendas have been laid out;  It' is officially Primary Week in Rhode Island!

Who could potentially beat Buddy? How much does political experience matter? How effective are endorsements or attack ads?

On Tuesday, Ocean State voters will answer these questions at the polls, and several key races will be narrowed down, bringing forth party nominations for Governor, Providence Mayor, Statewide Offices, and several local seats in the State House. 

Today, we focus on three highly-contested races: the Democratic and Republican primaries for Governor, and the Democratic primary for Mayor of Providence (AKA: The race to face Buddy). If you are under-informed, undecided, or just generally intrigued, learn everything you need to know about each of the candidates in the breakdown below. 

Democratic Gubernatorial Primary

Gina Raimondo

• Claim to Fame: Current Rhode Island General Treasurer
  
• Key Endorsement(s): Michael Bloomberg, EMILY's List, Myrth York, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Ironworkers' Local 37, United Steelworkers Local 12431 (Full List)
  
• Education/Credentials: B.A., Harvard University, J.D.: Yale Law School, Ph.D: Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar)
• Campaign website: www.ginaraimondo.com

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Herbert Claiborne "Clay" Pell IV

• Claim to Fame: Married to Michelle Kwan, Grandson to Sen. Claiborne Pell, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education in the U.S. Department of Education
  
• Key Endorsement(s): Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals (RIFTHP), Asian American Action Fund (AAA-Fund), NEA Rhode Island, VoteVets (Full List)
  
• Education/Credentials: Bachelor's: Harvard University, J.D.: Georgetown University, U.S. Coast Guard (Rank: Lieutenant)
• Campaign website: www.claypell.com

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Angel Taveras

• Claim to Fame: Current Mayor of Providence
  
• Key Endorsement(s): RI DOT, RI DEM, Patrick Kennedy, Rhode Island Laborers District Council, 32 Members of GA Including: Sen Gayle Goldin, Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, Rep. Frank Ferri (Full List)
  
• Education/Credentials:  Bachelor's: Harvard University, J.D.: Georgetown University
• Campaign Website: angel2014.com

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Todd Giroux

• Claim to Fame: Ran as for Governor as Independent in 2010 (882 votes received), Made headlines for "rescuing" a seal in 2014
  
• Key Endorsement(s): None
  
• Education/Credentials:  Bachelor's: University of Rhode Island
• Campaign Website: sites.google.com/site/girouxrigovernor2014

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-What to Expect on Tuesday-

While Pell and Taveras took turns slinging mud at their competition, Raimondo never took the bait, kept her head down, and kept plowing forward. She's run a clean campaign, and has been very present in the media and community.  Ultimately, Pell will draw from Taveras' votes, leaving Raimondo to walk away with a decisive victory. Giroux does have his small rookery of supporters, but will not surpass 1,000 votes on Tuesday. 

Ultimately, Raimondo has the poise, experience, and financial prowess that far exceeds her competition. If there were no Pell in the race, Taveras would have given the General Treasurer a run for her money, but Michelle Kwan's husband has hamstrung the Providence Mayor, impeding his ability to compete for the party's nomination by forcing him to spend much of his campaign cash.

-Predicted Result-

1. Gina Raimondo - 45%
2. Angel Taveras - 30%
3. Clay Pell -  25%
4. Todd Giroux - <1%

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Republican Gubernatorial Primary

Allan Fung

• Claim to Fame: Current Mayor of Cranston
  
• Key Endorsement(s): Mitt Romney, Lincoln Almond, State Central Committee of the Rhode Island Republican Party (Full List)
  
• Education/Credentials: Bachelor's: Rhode Island College, J.D.: Suffolk University Law School
• Campaign Website: fungforgovernor.com

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Kenneth J. "Ken" Block

• Claim to Fame: Ran as for Governor as Moderate in 2010 (received 6.5% of vote), President of Simpatico Software Systems and Cross Alert Systems.
  
• Key Endorsement(s): John Robitaille, Brian Newberry, Helen Glover, Lincoln Republican Town Committee, Patricia Morgan, Sen. Edward O’Neill, Rep. Doreen Costa, RI Taxpayers, (Full List)
  
• Education/Credentials: Bachelor's: Dartmouth College
• Campaign Website: blockforgovernor.com

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-What to Expect on Tuesday-

Fung and Block (mostly Block) have engaged in some heavy-duty mudslinging in pursuit of the GOP's nomination. Many have intimated that Block's  campaign has acted bullyish towards his oponnent and the media, but in the end, this tactic will hurt the former Moderate Party chair.

Fung is not without his flaws; his city's police force has faced a parking ticket scandal under his watch, and the Mayor was caught in a "half-truth" when he claimed he didn't recall ever voting in a Democratic Primary. He did, twice. 

When it comes to decision-time, Rhoce Island Republicans will have to consider that while Block may have some good ideas, that Fung poses the biggest threat to Gina Raimondo in November's general election. The rub, however, is that this contentious primary has taken a toll on both the finances and character of Cranston's Mayor.

-Predicted Result-

Allan Fung - 60%
Ken Block - 40%

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Providence Mayoral Democratic Primary

Jorge Elorza

• Claim to Fame: Professor of Law at Roger Williams University, former Housing Court Judge
  
• Key Endorsement(s): Providence Journal, Brett Smiley, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, Myrth York, Young Democrats of RI, Providence Phoenix (Full List)
  
• Education/Credentials: Bachelor's: University of Rhode Island, J.D.: Harvard University
• Campaign Website: elorzaformayor.com

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Michael Solomon

• Claim to Fame: Providence City Councilor (Ward 5), City Council President 
  
• Key Endorsement(s): Sen. Maryellen Goodwin (and Providence Democratic City Committee Chairwoman), Sen. Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, Sen. Joshua Miller David Segal, (Full List)

• Education/Credentials: High School: LaSalle Academy
• Campaign Website: solomonforpvd.com

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-What to Expect on Tuesday-

This is an interesting race. The big question surrounding the Democratic nomination has been: 

Which candidate stand the best chance to compete with Buddy Cianci in a general election?

Solomon, a current City Hall office-holder possesses insider knowledge and has experience with the inner workings of city government. He is the more moderate option on the Democratic ticket, and will attract support from the multi-generational Providence voters.  On the other hand, he is currently facing 25 separate ethics violations -- which does not exactly create distance from the old-guard or history of corruption at 25 Dorrance Street.

Elorza, on the other hand, has never held public office. He is the more progressive option, especially following the withdrawal of Brett Smiley. 

When Smiley was on the ballot, Elorza was poised to split the progressive vote, giving Solomon the advantage in the primary.  But not only did Smiley cancel his campaign, he joined forces with Elorza, bringing his endorsements and support along with him. 

But back to the initial question; Which candidate could potentially beat Buddy?

The answer has to be Jorge Elorza.  Not only will he carry much of the city's significant Hispanic vote (nearly 40% of the population), but he will represent the political outsider, and thus symbolizes the potential end to political corruption in the city. 

-Predicted Result-

Jorge Elorza - 55%
Michael Solomon - 45%

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Kevin Aherne is 990WBOB's Editor-in-Chief and Lead Political Correspondent. The former Director of Content for GoLocalProv and GoLocalWorcester, is also host of The Cobblestone Press, a weekly roundup of news and politics, airing LIVE Thursdays at 8 pm.  

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More WBOB News & Politics

• Dee DeQuattro: Pulse on Politics - September Surprise
  
• VIDEO: Fung Releases New Ad, Refutes Block's Claim
  
• Ken Block Claims Fung Campaign Has Run Out of Money
  
• Providence Chamber Releases Results to Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
  

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Tune in Tuesday at 6 pm for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries.  Kevin Aherne, Kevin Willette, Mike Gardiner and the rest of the WBOB political team will be on air all night updating you as the news breaks!