Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in RI Politics?

Friday, August 22, 2014

Russell J. Moore, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™

 

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Every Friday, GoLocalProv breaks down who's rising and who's falling in the world of Rhode Island politics. This week we welcome Russ Moore who follows previous columnists Dan Lawlor, Dan McGowan, and Matt Jerzyk. Check out who made the lists this week.

Hot

Gina Raimondo: With just over a couple weeks to go before election time, State Treasurer and Democrat Gubernatorial candidate Gina Raimondo finds herself with a lead in the polls, the most campaign cash, a cool new commercial, and momentum in the stretch. Yet only time will tell if she can hold on for the win.

RI Foundation: The non-profit charitable fund adminstered roughly $15.6 million in grants to various charities and causes throughout the state over the first half of the year. Those causes range from food banks to homeless shelters to programs at Rhode Island Hospital that treat mental illness.

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Davian Sanchez: The Providence City Council's most outspoken dissident is proving that you don't have to be a go along to get along guy to get things done. After leading the fight to save the Davy Lopes Pool last year, the councilman announced the construction of a new skate park earlier this week to serve the kids of his ward and others.

Ken Block: Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ken Block is up with a new television spot of his own that highlights the fact that some state workers still fill out paper time cards in the digital age that paints him as a reformer. Block has also pointed out that the state is honoring a Hewlett Packard contract that has been cancelled in three other states due to the company's substandard work.

RI Autism Research Project: The Rhode Island consortium for Autism Research and Treatment is creating a statewide, anonymous registry that will allow the organization to better understand and study Autism. The more researchers know, the better equipped professionals will be to treat Autism.

Undecided Voters: According to the latest WPRI/Providence Journal Poll, undecided voters will decide the fate of every statewide primary political race with just over 2 weeks to go. Here's hoping voters take their decisions seriously and choose candidates with the experience to serve Rhode Islanders well.

NOT

Robert Walsh: The teacher's union boss (NEA) has overplayed his hand like a teenager at Foxwoods who just watched The World Series of Poker for the first time. In backing Clay Pell's campaign for Governor, Walsh has siphoned tons of votes from Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and opened up a path to victory for Gina Raimondo--his pension reforming arch nemesis.

Allan Fung: The Republican Mayor's Gubernatorial campaign seems to be in free fall. Last week it was revealed that his "Open for Business" ad was shot in Ohio and this week he's been named in a lawsuit alleging he knew about the harassment of a Police Captain by the former police chief, but did nothing about it.

72-percent: Fung is certainly not the only Gubernatorial candidate spending his campaign cash on out-of-state firms. About 72 percent of all campaign spending been spent on out-of-town firms, according to a golocalprov.com report. This, from candidates who go on about helping RI businesses.

Synthetic Marijuana: A new, dangerous drug has hit our streets with a deceptive name and the potential to cause dangerous overdoses. Law enforcement is doing all it can to keep the new, synthetic drug out of the hands of the public, but education is the best prevention.

Angel Taveras: Once thought of as the favorite in the state's gubernatorial election, Taveras finds himself slipping in the polls and lacks the fundraising to enhance the negatives of his opponents. One has to wonder if his loss of talented political operatives last year sealed his fate.

West Nile Virus: The mosquito transmitted dangerous virus has reared its ugly head, just as it does ever late summer. Make sure you use extra precaution such as long sleeved shirts and bug repellent when spending time outside at night to prevent against the dangerous virus.

 

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