Politics & Elections

McKee staves off Regunberg endorsement bid

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee prevented Democratic challenger Representative Aaron Regunberg (Democrat, District 4, Providence) from scoring a historical upset at the 2018 Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee Meeting Sunday night. Regunberg acknowledged that securing the Rhode Island Democratic Party nomination was a long shot, saying, “There’s no precedent for a state committee endorsement for a challenger, and I understood

Rhode Island News: McKee staves off Regunberg endorsement bid

June 25, 2018, 12:09 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee prevented Democratic challenger Representative Aaron Regunberg (Democrat, District 4, Providence) from scoring a historical upset at the 2018 Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee Meeting Sunday night. Regunberg acknowledged that securing the Rhode Island Democratic Party nomination was a long shot, saying, “There’s no precedent for a state committee endorsement for a challenger, and I understood that going into tonight. I am encouraged by how many members broke ranks and gave our campaign their vote.”

McKee won the endorsement on a 93 to 36 roll call vote.

The vote still rankled some Democratic Party members, some of whom took exception to particular people declaring their support of Regunberg.

Here’s McKee making his case for the endorsement:

Here’s Regunberg making his case:

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena unsurprisingly supported McKee over Regunberg.

Representative Kathleen Fogarty (Democrat, District 35, South Kingstown) nominated Regunberg for the endorsement:

Joseph Polisena

Daniel McKee

Aaron Regunberg


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