The Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus received a letter from the Rhode Island Democratic Party informing them that they can no longer, under the law, use the term “Democratic” in the name of their organization. Continuing to do so, maintains Senior Advisor to the Rhode Island Democratic Party Kate Coyne-McCoy, is a misdemeanor. You can read the press release from the Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus here and the letter from the Rhode Island Democratic Party here.

Uprise RI reached out to Kate Coyne-McCoy by phone to ask about the letter, and the reasoning behind it. She was on her way into a meeting but Tok a few minutes to answer our questions.

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Kate Coyne-McCoy: How did you get the letter?

UpriseRI: It was just sent out as a press release.

Coyne-McCoy: It was sent out as a press release?

UpriseRI: Yes.

Coyne-McCoy: By who?

UpriseRI: The Rhode Island Democratic Woman’s Caucus.

Coyne-McCoy: Oh! Okay! So that’s how they want to play. Okay. I sent it as a private letter to them. I didn’t want to deal with it in the press, but I guess that’s how they want to do it. Okay.

UpriseRI: I’m interested in hearing more about the reasoning behind the letter.

Coyne-McCoy: Did you read the law?

UpriseRI: Yeah I did, but the Caucus points out that there are several other organizations in Rhode Island that didn’t receive letters that also use the term Democratic in their name.

Coyne-McCoy: I’m unaware of those, and as soon as I become aware of them we will send similar letters to them. I’m unaware of any other organization.

UpriseRI: Let me just read them off to you. There’s the Fund for Democratic Leadership, RI Senate Democrats PAC, Democratic Governors Association RI, the 7th Senatorial Democratic Club
the Barrington Democratic Club…

Coyne-McCoy: Those are connected to the Democratic Party. They are affiliated with the Democratic Party. The Rhode Island Democratic Woman’s Caucus is not affiliated with the Democratic Party.

UpriseRI: They were kicked out, and now the Democratic Party is going after their name. That’s what people are saying.

Coyne-McCoy: I don’t know what people are saying, but what I’m saying is that we all need to follow the law.

UpriseRI: Why has this come up now, and not in the last two years?

Coyne-McCoy: I’ve been in this job since April and I’m slowly working through stuff.