Providence Dem Chair Ward Steps Down Over Meme

Saturday, February 10, 2018

 

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Patrick Ward

Providence Democratic City Chair Patrick Ward has stepped down from his position over a meme that he shared two months ago.

Ward is the husband of Council member Sabina Matos who was recently knocked from the Council Presidency last month.

“It has been a pleasure to serve as Chairman of the Providence Democratic City Committee this last year.  It is apparent that recent events have caused a distraction on one of the most important elections in recent memory.  It is but for my love of the Democratic Party that I feel it best to resign and continue my independent work for equality, representation and a voice for those less privileged,” said Ward in a statement.

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The resignation comes one day after Ward issued an apology via Facebook.

Ward posted:

My full apology to David Salvatore and John Igliozzi:

In December of 2017, I was going through a difficult period as I watched my wife lose her position as President of the Providence City Council. The swiftness of it took us by surprise and in a moment of weakness I posted a childish meme on social media. I deeply regret that moment and wish I could take it back.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Council President Salvatore and Councilman Igliozzi. I hope they very much can find it in their heart to forgive me. In addition, I ask for the forgiveness of every member of the Providence Democratic City Committee and anyone else I may have offended with this foolish act. 

Sincerely,
Patrick M. Ward

 

Related Slideshow: GoLocal: Benchmark Poll, October 2017

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Sponsor: GoLocalProv

Sample: N=403

Rhode Island General Election Voters Margin of Error: +/- 4.9% at 95% Confidence Level

Interviewing Period: October 9-11, 2017

Mode: Landline (61%) and Mobile (39%)

Telephone Directed by: John Della Volpe, SocialSphere, Inc.

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Yes: 100%

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When it comes to voting, do you consider yourself to be affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, Moderate, or Unaffiliated with a major party?

Unaffiliated: 49%

Democrat: 32%

Republican: 15%

Moderate: .4%

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Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...

Definitely be voting: 78%

Probably be voting: 13%

50-50: 9%

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Wrong track: 45%

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Jobs and economy:  21%

Education: 12%

Taxes: 12%

Roads: 12%

State budget: 9%

Corruption/Public integrity: .8%

Healthcare: 3%

Governor: 3%

Homelessness: 2%

Immigration: 2%

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Don’t know: .9%

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Changed for the better: 35%

Changed for the worse: 16%

Not changed at all: 43%

Don't know/Refused: 5%

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Changed for the better: 26%

Changed for the worse: 19%

Not changed at all: 54%

Don't know/Refused: 1%

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Net: Approve: 28%

Definitely approve: 15%

Probably approve: 14%

Net: Reject: 67%

Probably reject: 19%

Definitely reject: 48%

Don't know: 4%

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18-24: 7%

25-34: 15%

35-44: 15%

45-54: 20%

55-64: 17%

65+: 25%

Don't know/refused: 1%

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0-11: 2%

High school grad: 16%

Technical/Vocational school: 1%

Some college: 23%

College grad: 34%

Graduate degree: 24%

Don't know/refused: 1%

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$50,000 or less: 27%

More $50,000 but less than $75,000: 13%

More $75,000 but less than $100,000: 13%

More $100,000 but less than $150,000: 17%

$150,000 or more: 13%

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American/None: 21%

English: 13%

Italian: 13%

Irish: 12%

Black or African American: 6%

Latino/Hispanic: 6%

French: 6%

Portuguese: 3%

Jewish: 3%

German: 1%

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Fair: 14%
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Excellent: 22%
Good: 29%
Fair: 23%
Poor: 15%
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Cannot rate: 6%

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Excellent: 17%
Good: 22%
Fair: 21%
Poor: 28%
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Cannot rate: 7%

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Excellent: 9%
Good: 29%
Fair: 21%
Poor: 27%
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Cannot rate:  8%

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Good: 30%
Fair: 20%
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Cannot rate: 11%

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Good: 28%
Fair: 30%
Poor: 31%
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Cannot rate: 3%

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Good: 16%
Fair: 21%
Poor: 8%
Never heard of: 26%
Cannot rate: 25%

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Excellent: 3%
Good: 20%
Fair: 28%
Poor: 17%
Never heard of: 13%
Cannot rate: 19%

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Excellent: 4%
Good: 18%
Fair: 24%
Poor: 13%
Never heard of: 21%
Cannot rate: 21%

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Excellent: 5%
Good: 21%
Fair: 21%
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Cannot rate: 23%

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Would you say that Jorge Elorza has done an excellent good, fair or poor job as Mayor of Providence?

Excellent: 4%
Good: 24%
Fair: 24%
Poor: 22%
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Cannot rate: 15%

 
 

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