Politics & Elections

Grassroots Democrats hold press conference in support of Governor Raimondo

Rhode Island State Senator Gayle Goldin (Democrat, District 3, Providence) held a press conference outside the State House Friday morning with a group of people she called, “[g]rassroots Democrats who have been in the trenches for years fighting for progressive values.” The press conference was held to show support for incumbent Governor Gina Raimondo, who is in what looks like

Rhode Island News: Grassroots Democrats hold press conference in support of Governor Raimondo

September 7, 2018, 1:10 pm

By Steve Ahlquist

Rhode Island State Senator Gayle Goldin (Democrat, District 3, Providence) held a press conference outside the State House Friday morning with a group of people she called, “[g]rassroots Democrats who have been in the trenches for years fighting for progressive values.” The press conference was held to show support for incumbent Governor Gina Raimondo, who is in what looks like an unexpectedly tight primary race with former Secretary of State Matt Brown.

Advocates for gun control, LGBTQ rights, labor, reproductive choice and Latinx issues joined with Goldin to sing the praises of Governor Raimondo.

“Matt Brown has talked about a lot of issues that I care deeply about,” said Goldin. “And they’re really resonating with people and I get that, because I’m the Senate sponsor of a lot of those bills. I also sit on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Labor Committee, so I know who comes out to support progressive bills, and I know who doesn’t. One of the things I value a lot in politics are the people who show up.”

Gina Raimondo, said Goldin, shows up.

“Governor Raimondo stands with Planned Parenthood,” said Amanda Skinner, President of Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island. “We stand with her…”

“I think the Governor has proven that she’s a person that understands that economic development includes people at the bottom and at the top,” said Patrick Quinn, executive vice president of SEIU 1199 NE. “Yes, sometimes it’s distasteful that we have to court external companies, we have to bring in investment from outside, but building the workforce from the bottom up…  she’s done it. She’s walked the walk.”

“We need to re-elect Governor Raimondo,” said Linda Finn, president, Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV). “Not just because she is the first woman governor, but because of all she has been doing, fighting for women and families in this state for the last four years.”

“During our conversations with the Governor, she recognized that some of her efforts to improve the economy need work to bring more equitable opportunities for the Latinx community,” said Marcela Betancur, vice president of the Rhode Island Latino PAC. “And we look forward to being there to support her work.”

“I’m here to lend my support to Gina Raimondo as she has been actively committed” to supporting the LGBTQ community, said LGBT advocate Wendy Becker. “Gina has been doing the work. Her primary opponent Matt Brown simply hasn’t.”

“The Governor has been a passionate advocate for many of the core values that I hold dear, and has fought to make Rhode Island a better place for all Rhode Islanders,” said Pam Lauria, chair of the Barrington Democratic Town Committee.

“As a mayor myself, four years goes by really quick,” said Central Falls Mayor James Diossa. “And everything we want to get done needs a second term.”

“It’s very easy to have a campaign and it’s very easy to say that you support certain issues,” said Rhode Island State Senator Erin Lynch Prata (Democrat, District 31, Warwick, Cranston). “It gets difficult when you have to work with other people… Governor Raimondo has done all of the hard work.”

Gayle Goldin

Amanda Skinner

Linda Finn

Marcela Betancur

Wendy Becker


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