Rhode Island’s midterm elections a mixed bag for progressives, a bad night for conservatives
Yesterday’s midterm elections were a mixed bag, but progressives did make some gains. The big story in the press is Democrat Seth Magaziner’s victory over former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, who had led in most polls pre-election. But there are plenty of smaller stories scattered around the state.
November 9, 2022, 12:24 pm
By Steve Ahlquist
Yesterday’s midterm elections were a mixed bag, but progressives did make some gains. The big story in the mainstream press is Democrat Seth Magaziner‘s victory over former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, who had led in most polls pre-election. But there are plenty of smaller stories scattered around the state, so let’s get into it.
United States Representative in Congress District 1 and 2:
Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee took over as Governor when Gina Raimondo took a job in the administration of President Biden. To my mind, this blunted his more conservative leanings, moving him to the left on issues like Act on Climate, which he signed into law only after expressing reservations. A McKee elected might well mean a McKee emboldened to embrace his conservative leanings, which could mean pushback on issues like raising the minimum wage. I’ve seen evidence that the McKee Administration is preparing what can only be called an austerity budget for 2024, with deep cuts in many departments.
The other three statewide offices all went to the Democrats as well. Gregg Amore beat Pat Cortellessa for Secretary of State, who never took his campaign seriously, yet still took in 40% of the vote. James Diossa beat James Lathrop for Treasurer, and Peter Neronha blew past Charles Calenda, an anti-trans, anti-CRT extreme right Republican. None of these races had surprising outcomes.
Rhode Islanders also approved three ballot initiatives, approving borrowing money in the form of bonds for the University of Rhode Island, school construction, and the “Green Economy.”
The General Assembly Part One – The State Senate
Democratic Senator Tiara Mack easily defeated Republican Adriana Bonilla. Bonilla is one of the candidates that signed onto the #ParentsUnitedRI pledge. #ParentsUnitedRI is a grievance-based hate group that stands against the transgender community, opposes the teaching of racism history, and fought hard against COVID-19 precautions and medical advice throughout the pandemic.
Linda Ujifusa prevailed in a four-way race in District 11. Senator-elect Ujifusa, who is a staunch advocate for universal healthcare, would be a welcome addition to Senate Health and Human Services. (hint, hint)
In Central Falls’ District 16, Senator Jonathan Acosta defeated Elizabeth Crowley. Crowley was the Democrat that Costa defeated two-years ago. Since then she rebranded herself as an independent, but did not fair well in last night’s election.
Republican Thomas Paolino kept his seat in District 17. Senate leadership, all “Democrats,” backed independent candidate Jack Lyle Jr over Democrat Cameron Deutsch.
Senator Cynthia Mendes, a staunch and principled progressive legislator, unsuccessfully attempted to jump to the office of Lieutenant Governor. Now right of center Democrat Robert Britto has the seat.
Ryan Pearson is widely believed to have the inside track securing the Senate Majority leader position.
Despite North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi confirming that Holly O’Donnell, the partner of former State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell, filed a harassment complaint against former North Providence Police Chief David Tikoian about one year before Tikoian left his position in 2020, Tikoian is the Senator-elect for District 22.
Anthony DeLuca II replaces Senator Michael McCaffrey, the former Majority Leader who, despite his conservative positions on abortion, was a staunch advocate for criminal justice reform.
Conservative Democrat Mark McKenney is replacing progressive Senator Jeanine Calkin in District 30.
And another conservative Democrat, Matthew LaMountain, is replacing progressive Kendra Anderson, who did not run for re-election.
Pam Lauria was a staunch member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Now she’s the Senator-elect for District 32.
Conservative Senator Elaine Morgan held onto her seat. She is one of only two candidates that signed onto the #ParentsUnitedRI pledge and won their General Assembly elections. #ParentsUnitedRI is a grievance-based hate group that stands against the transgender community, opposes the teaching of racism history, and fought hard against COVID-19 precautions and medical advice throughout the pandemic.
Former Republican State Representative Doreen Costa attempted to return to the General Assembly but was blocked by incumbent Democrat Bridget Valverde. Senator Valverde is the Senate sponsor of the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act.
A seat that was once occupied by Senate Majority Leader Dennis Algiere is now in the hands of Democratic Senator-elect Victoria Gu, a candidate with an impressive number of progressive endorsements.
The General Assembly Part Two – The State House of Representatives
In District 5 the seat overly held by Marcia Ranglin-Vassell is back in the hands of the DeSimone family. Ranglin-Vassell defeated then House Majority Leader John DeSimone in a 2016 upset.
Enrique Sanchez locked in the seat he took from Representative Anastasia Williams in the primary. Representative Williams chaired the House Labor Committee, so there will be a lot understand about the future of issues like minimum wage and fair scheduling by who leadership places in that position.
16 votes!
Incumbent Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson is a pro-gun, anti-abortion Democrat who only narrowly defeated Republican Marie Hopkins.
Rhode Island House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi secured his next term.
Republican Patricia Morgan held her seat. She is one of only two candidates that signed onto the #ParentsUnitedRI pledge and won their General Assembly elections. #ParentsUnitedRI is a grievance-based hate group that stands against the transgender community, opposes the teaching of racism history, and fought hard against COVID-19 precautions and medical advice throughout the pandemic.
Democrat Tina Spears won the seat vacated by Republican Blake Filippi, the former House Minority Leader.
Four votes!
If the inevitable recounts hold, Democrat Megan Cotter just unseated Republican Justin Price, who attended the January 6th Uprising nearly two years ago and signed onto the #ParentsUnitedRI pledge. #ParentsUnitedRI is a grievance-based hate group that stands against the transgender community, opposes the teaching of racism history, and fought hard against COVID-19 precautions and medical advice throughout the pandemic.
Jon Brien. Jon Brien? Jon Brien…
Republican Brian Rea unseated conservative Democrat Bernard Hawkins in a race that I was not really following.
After beating conservative Representative James McLaughlin in the Democratic primary, Brandon Voas went on to win in the general.
After Democrat Carlos Tobon stepped down from his office, Democrat Cherie Cruz nabbed the seat.
Progressive Democrat Jennifer Stewart ousted centrist Democrat Jean Philippe Barros in the primary and ran unopposed in the general.
Democrat Matthew Dawson in East Providence took the seat vacated by Gregg Amore when Amore decided to undertake a successful run for Secretary of State.
After leading the local chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Democrat Jennifer Smith Boylan won the seat vacated by Liana Cassar.
Democrat Alex Finkelman won the seat vacated by Deborah Ruggiero when she made her unsuccessful run for Lieutenant Governor.
Back in September Uprise RI ran a piece about #ParentsUnitedRI, a grievance-based hate group that stands against the transgender community, opposes the teaching of racism history, and fought hard against COVID-19 precautions and medical advice throughout the pandemic. The group ran a slate of candidates across Rhode Island with the intent of infiltrating local school boards and town councils to degrade public schools and promote charter schools under the guise of parental rights. #ParentsUnitedRI has connections with white supremacist hate groups throughout New England.
So how did they do in the midterm elections lat night?
In state wide elections, Republican Allen Waters, running for United States House of Representatives against incumbent Democrat David Cicilline, lost; as did Republican Charles Calenda in his race against Peter Neronha for Attorney General.
Four candidates ran for State Senate. Only incumbent Elaine Morgan won.
- Adriana Bonilla, Republican, State Senate District 06 Providence
- Don Raupp, Republican, State Senate District 09 West Warwick
- Lisa Marie Morse, Republican, State Senate District 31 Warwick
- Elaine Morgan, Republican, State Senate District 34 Hopkinton (Incumbent)
Four candidates ran for State House of Representatives. Only incumbent Pat Morgan won.
- Dan Elliott, Independent, State Representative District 20 Warwick
- Patricia Morgan, Republican, State Representative District 26 West Warwick (Incumbent)
- Jessica Drew-Day, Republican, State Representative District 33 South Kingstown
- Justin Price, Republican, State Representative District 39 Richmond (Incumbent)
For local municipal offices, it was a mixed bag.
Republican David Stall ran unopposed for Hopkinton Town Moderator and won.
Republican Michael Geary garnered the most votes for Hopkinton Town Council. The top five vote getters become Town Councilmembers.
The Chariho School Committee oversees the schools in three communities, CHArleston, RIchmond and HOpkinson, hence the the name CHAR-RI-HO. Each community elects three members to the committee.
Republican James Sullivan failed in Charlestown, Republican Kathryn Colasante won in Richmond,
and Republican Polly Ann Hopkins won in Hopkinson.
Republican Michael Colasante was successful in his bid to win a seat on the Richmond Town Council.
Independent Carissa Moglia failed in her bid to take the East Providence School Committee Ward 2 seat.
Republican Kevin Robishaw Jr failed in his effort to take the Townwide Exeter School Committee seat.
Republican David Fargnoli failed in his attempt to be elected to the Pawtucket School Committee.
Republican Helen Sheehan was successful in her bid to get on the Richmond Town Council.
Republican Michael Day failed to get a seat on the South Kingstown School Committee.
Independent Michelle Kirby Chapman won the District 3 Warwick School Committee.
Republican Olivia Caronna lost her Ward 2 West Warwick School Committee bid.
Republican Lori Wycall won a seat on the Westerly School Committee while Independent Seth Logan lost.
Republican Michelle Marie Sztabor lost her bid to get on the Woonsocket School Committee.
Providence City Council
There is a very new Providence City Council come January. They will be working with newly elected Mayor Brett Smiley, who ran unopposed as a Democrat. the new City Council President is rumored to be Ward 13’s Rachel Miller, but no official votes have been taken yet.
Woonsocket
Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, who was recently removed from office by a City Council lead by Council President Daniel Gendron, who took over as acting Mayor in the interim, has won re-election. Also out is James Cournoyer and Roger Jalette. Baldelli-Hunt’s victory seems to cut two ways. On the one hand, she won her election and managed to stack the city council with members loyal to her, on the other hand, she scored only 76% of the vote while running unopposed.
Woonsocket really needs to establish wards to create a more representational city government.
