The California Political Earthquake? - Sunday Political Brunch - June 10, 2018

Sunday, June 10, 2018

 

View Larger +

Mark Curtis

Well, my headline is deceiving, yet it is an attention getter. No, there was truly no major earthquake in California, or in any of the eight states that held political primaries Tuesday. But California did have some rumblings and is certain to have some aftershocks. The truth about seismic activity in the Golden State is that most quakes are relatively mild, say in the 2.0 to 3.5 range. Yes, you might feel them, but they don’t really make an impact (or the news) unless they are, say, 5.0 or better. My point is a lot of the political rumblings out west (and elsewhere) are still hard to assess this early. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

“California House Races” –National and state Democrats were targeting seven California House seats that are currently held by Republicans, but all in districts Hillary Clinton carried in 2016. It was a smart strategy as Democrats need to pick up 23 seats across the nation to re-take control of the House. In two of the districts, the incumbent Republican is retiring, so the seat is open. Gaining three or four seats in the nation’s most populous (and perhaps most liberal state) seems potentially doable.

“Jungle Primary” – California is the only state with a so-called “jungle primary.” I guess it got that unfortunate name because it’s a “survival of the fittest” game plan. Simply put, the top two vote-getters in any primary, even if they are in the same party, go onto face each other in the November election. California went through this just two years ago when Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) defeated Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-California) for an open Senate seat. Republicans had to sit it out in November. While this strategy is logical for Democrats, it’s execution may be flawed.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

“The Lucky 7?” – Even though California Democrats flooded many of these primaries with multiple candidates (ten in one case), their results were mixed. In some districts, they were hoping with so many candidates on their side of the ballot, they would take the top two positions, thereby blocking a Republican challenger in the fall. It did not work in any districts. To be fair, Republicans tried to frontload a few of their races with multiple candidates, in hopes of taking the top two, and blocking a Democrat from November. That failed, too. But since Democrats need a net gain in seats, clearly the primary was a victory for most Republican House incumbents. We’ll see what voters say in November.

“Governor’s Race Coattails Matter” – The biggest factor in that ultimate House outcome may in fact be the race for Governor. Democrats ran several candidates in hopes of – again – taking the top two spots, and knocking Republicans out of a spot on the November ballot. It didn’t work. Republican businessman John Cox surged at the end, with the endorsement of President Trump, and secured the number-two spot behind Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom (D-California). Can you imagine if Democrats had won both slots? Governor’s races can have strong coattail effects, pulling up candidates down the ballot. Democrats may have swept some of those vulnerable Republican House seats, but now may not because a GOP candidate for Governor (even if he loses) may help bring votes to those endangered House members, keeping them in office.

“No Sweet Home Alabama” – Loyalty is important in politics, but, so too, can be perceived disloyalty. Its reverberations can cut both ways. In Tuesday’s primary, Rep. Martha Roby (R-Alabama) failed to get a majority needed to avoid a runoff election. Now she must face a July 17th runoff to move onto November. Roby’s indiscretion? Many feel she was disloyal to President Trump when he was still running for the White House. When the “Access Hollywood” tapes came out in which Trump conceded that he sometimes groped women’s private parts without their consent, Roby renounced Trump and said she could not vote for him. Now she faces the former Democratic Congressman Bobby Bright, whom she defeated in 2010. He has since switched to the Republican Party.

“Montana’s a Key” – One of the races that got scant attention was Tuesday night’s U.S. Senate race in Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) had no primary opponent. State Auditor Matt Rosendale won a very close Republican primary and will face Sen. Tester in November. The Montana Senate seat is considered a toss-up, and one of the five-most vulnerable seats in the nation this year. It could mark a Senate gain for the GOP. President Trump is likely to get involved here and campaign in person. Trump has a vendetta against Tester, since it was the Montana incumbent who torpedoed the President’s recent nominee for Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Trump – as we’ve often seen by now – is a “get even” guy.

“Who’s Up Next?” – After Tuesday night, twenty states have now held primaries this year. Next Tuesday, June 12, five states will hold primary contests in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and Virginia. By next Tuesday, half the states will have cast ballots, but it is still hard to assess any significant trends this early, as we head to November.

“Why All of this Matters” – Political waves are about trends. People, politicians and pundits keep talking about the looming “blue wave” in 2018. With almost half of all states already weighing in, we’ve identified some potential (though modest) gains for Democrats, but perhaps not enough to re-take the U.S. House. Sometimes primaries in September and October offer a greater sense of urgency (and change) since they are so close to the November election. Control of Congress hangs in the balance.

What races are you watching in the primaries and into the fall? What issue is tops for you? Just click the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a nationally-known political reporter, analyst and author. He is presently the Chief Political Reporter for the five Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia.

 

Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe - June, 2018

View Larger +
Prev Next

Registered Voters

Q1: Are you registered to vote in Rhode Island?

Total 501 100%
Yes: 501 100%
No: 0 0%
Don't know: 0 0%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Gender

Q2: Are you ...
Total
Total: 100%
Male: 44%
Female: 56%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Age

Q3: In which age group are you?

18-24:  7%
25-34:  16%
35-44:  15%
45-54:  20%
55-64: 17%
65+      25%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Political Party

Q4: 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?

Democrat: 38%
Republican:14%
Moderate: 6%
Unaffiliated: 39%
Don't know/Refused: 3%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Likely Voters

Q5: Next year, in November of 2018, there will be a statewide general election for Governor and many other state offices.  How likely is it that you will vote in this election?   Will you definitely be voting, will you probably be voting, are you 50-50...

 

Definitely be voting.............................. 81%

Probably be voting............................... 19%

All others.............................................   0%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Top Issue

Q6: What would you say is the number one problem facing Rhode Island that you would like the Governor to address?
 

Taxes.................................................. .18%

Jobs and economy.............................. 16%

State budget.........................................11%

Roads...................................................10%

Education............................................  8%

Healthcare...........................................  5%

Corruption/Public integrity.................... 4%

Immigration..........................................  4%

Housing.............................................. ..2%

Governor............................................. ..2%

Homelessness.......................................1%

 

Other.. ............................................... 14%

Don’t know..........................................   6%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Direction

Q7: In general, would you say things in Rhode Island are headed in the right direction or are they off on the wrong track?
 

Right track........................................... 19%

Wrong track......................................... 36%

Mixed.................................................. 45%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Optimism

Q8: Thinking ahead several years, is your outlook about Rhode Island more optimistic or more pessimistic?   
 

Optimistic............................................ 52%

Pessimistic...........................................48%
 

View Larger +
Prev Next

Finances

Q9: Over the last three years or so, has your family's financial situation improved, gotten worse, or not changed at all?
 

Changed for the better......................... 24%

Changed for the worse......................... 33%

Not changed at all................................ 43%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q10: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Gina Raimondo, a Democrat

I am sure to vote for her:  9%

There is a good chance I will vote for her:  19%

It is possible that I vote for her:  24%

It is unlikely that I will vote for her:  18%

I will never vote for her:  31%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q11: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Matt Brown, a Democrat

I am sure to vote for him:  4%

There is a good chance I will vote for him:  8%

It is possible that I vote for him:  40%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him:  30%

I will never vote for him:  17%
 

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q12: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Spencer Dickinson, a Democrat

I am sure to vote for him:  3%

There is a good chance I will vote for him:  7%

It is possible that I vote for him:  37%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him:  35%

I will never vote for him:  18%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q13: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Paul Roselli, a Democrat 

I am sure to vote for him:  2%

There is a good chance I will vote for him:  7%

It is possible that I vote for him:  35%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him:  37%

I will never vote for him:  19%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q14: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Allan Fung, a Republican 

I am sure to vote for him:  7%

There is a good chance I will vote for him:  18%

It is possible that I vote for him:  28%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him:  25%

I will never vote for him:  21%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q15: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Patricia Morgan, a Republican 

I am sure to vote for her:  3%

There is a good chance I will vote for her.:   9%

It is possible that I vote for her:  32%

It is unlikely that I will vote for her:  35%

I will never vote for her:  21%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q16: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Giovanni Feroce, a Republican 

I am sure to vote for him:  2%

There is a good chance I will vote for him:  5%

It is possible that I vote for him:  24%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him:  35%

I will never vote for him:  34%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q17: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Luis-Daniel Muñoz, an Independent

I am sure to vote for him:  3%

There is a good chance I will vote for him: 6%

It is possible that I vote for him: 33%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him: 38%

I will never vote for him: 21%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q18: Which of the following comes closest to your view regarding each of the following potential candidates for governor of Rhode Island?

Joe Trillo, an Independent

I am sure to vote for him:  1%

There is a good chance I will vote for him:  8%

It is possible that I vote for him:  37%

It is unlikely that I will vote for him:  34%

I will never vote for him:  19%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q20: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?        

Allan Fung, a Republican..................... 33%

Gina Raimondo, a Democrat................ 33%

Joe Trillo, and Independent.................. 16%

Don't know     18%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q20: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Patricia Morgan and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?         

Gina Raimondo, a Democrat................ 39%

Patricia Morgan, a Republican............. 20%

Joe Trillo, an Independent................... 19%

Don't know ......................................... 22%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q21: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Matt Brown, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote? 

Allan Fung, a Republican..................... 35%

Matt Brown, a Democrat...................... 25%

Joe Trillo, an Independent.................... 14%

Don't know .......................................... 27%
 

View Larger +
Prev Next

Governor

Q22: If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Matt Brown, Republican Patricia Morgan and Independent Joe Trillo - for whom would you vote?        

Matt Brown, a Democrat...................... 30%

Patricia Morgan, a Republican............. 20%

Joe Trillo, an Independent.................... 18%

Don't know .......................................... 33%

View Larger +
Prev Next

U.S. Senate

Q23: If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Nardolillo - for whom would you vote?

Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat........... 53%

Robert 'Bobby' Nardolillo, a Republican.. 31%

Don't know............................................... 16%

View Larger +
Prev Next

U.S. Senate

Q24: If the election for the U.S. Senate were held today and the candidates were: [ROTATE] Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Robert Flanders - for whom would you vote?           

Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat........ 54%

Robert Flanders, a Republican............. 32%

Don't know.......................................... 14%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Schools

Q25: If there was an election today, would you vote to approve or reject issuing $250 million in financing supported general obligation bonds to repair Rhode Island's deteriorating school buildings and bring them up to minimum standards called "warm, safe and dry"?

Net: Approve...................................... 74%

Definitely approve............................... 36%

Probably approve................................ 38%
 

Net: Reject......................................... 17%

Probably reject....................................   9%

Definitely reject....................................   7%


Don't know..........................................   9%

View Larger +
Prev Next

PawSox

Q26: The Rhode Island General Assembly is in the process of negotiating a $40 million public financing deal with the Pawtucket Red Sox for a new stadium, hoping to bring a vote before the House and Senate this summer.  

In general, do you favor or oppose the use of public funds to help finance a new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox?
 

Net: Favor.......................................... 33%

Strongly favor...................................... 13%

Somewhat favor.................................. 21%
 

Net: Oppose....................................... 59%

Somewhat oppose.............................. 21%

Strongly oppose.................................. 38%
 

Don't know..........................................   8%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Fane Tower

Q27: The City of Providence and the state of Rhode Island are considering a proposal by New York developer Jason Fane to build a 46-story luxury residence tower in Providence, next to a public riverfront park.  The developer will invest $250 to $300 million of his own funds.  The project is called the Hope Point Tower, it would be 170-feet taller than the Superman building and would require waiving height restrictions and the use of state tax credits.

In general, do you favor or oppose development of the Hope Point Tower?

 

Net: Favor.......................................... 39%

Strongly favor...................................... 13%

Somewhat favor.................................. 27%


Net: Oppose....................................... 50%

Somewhat oppose.............................. 23%

Strongly oppose.................................. 27%


Don't know.......................................... 11%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Elorza/Traffic Cameras

Q28: How would you rate the job that Mayor Jorge Elorza has done managing issues related to speed cameras in Providence?

Net: Excellent/Good.......................... 26%

Excellent.............................................   6%

Good................................................... 20%

Net: Fair/Poor.................................... 74%

Fair...................................................... 29%

Poor.................................................... 45%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Q29: Since it was launched in 2016, UHIP -- the Rhode Island program designed to improve customer service for those who receive federal benefits -- has run into significant problems, including long lines, cost overruns, lost applications, over- and under-charging of patients and families.   

Based on what you know at this time, what percent of 
blame for this do you assign to:
 

Deloitte, the consulting company who
produced the system........................... 53.3%

Governor Gina Raimondo, who has
been governor since the system
launch in September 2016................... 47.1%

View Larger +
Prev Next

NIMBYism

Q30: Presently, there are local groups opposing the development of a natural gas facility in Burrillville, solar projects in Exeter, a LNG facility in Providence and wind projects in North Kingstown. 
Some people say that it is important for local groups to play a role in opposition 
of projects like these that could be dangerous or harmful to citizens; 

Others say that local groups have gone too far to the detriment of the state’s long-term energy needs. 

Which statement comes closer to your own view?

 

Local groups play an important role...... 46%

Local groups have gone too far............. 31%

Not sure................................................. 24%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Corruption

Q31: Compared to other states, do you think there is:

More political corruption in RI................. 63%

Less political corruption in RI................   7%

About the same level as other states..... 30%
 

View Larger +
Prev Next

Income

Q32: The next question is about the total income of YOUR HOUSEHOLD for the PAST 12 MONTHS.  Please include your income PLUS the income of all members living in your household (including cohabiting partners and armed forces members living at home).  

$50,000 or less.................................... 33%

More $50,000 but less than $75,000..... 18%

More $75,000 but less than $100,000... 16%

More $100,000 but less than $150,000. 13%

$150,000 or more................................ 10%

Don't know/refused.............................. 10%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Ethnicity

Q33: What particular ethnic group or nationality - such as English, French, Italian, Irish, Latino, Jewish, African American, and so forth - do you consider yourself a part of or feel closest to?  

Net: White, Non-Hispanic..................... 82%

Black or African American....................   6%

Latino/Hispanic....................................   5%

Other....................................................   7%

View Larger +
Prev Next

Geography

Q34: City/Town Into Region.

West Bay............................................ 28%

Metro-Providence................................ 28%

Blackstone Valley................................ 21%

South County...................................... 10%

East Bay............................................. 13%

 
 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook