Ian Donnis

Political Roundtable: RI GOP Chairman Mark Smiley on Gist + 2014

Ian Donnis — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

RI GOP chairman joins the Roundtable this week (along with guest panelist Tim White of WPRI-TV, Channel 12) to discuss the debate over state Education Commissioner Deborah Gist; Moderate Party founder Ken Block's entry in the 2014 gubernatorial race, what's next for Rhode Island Republicans, and more.

Bonus Q+A: Smiley on the Next Steps for RI Republicans

Ian Donnis — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

RI GOP chairman Mark Smiley joins us on Bonus Q+A to discuss building GOP ranks in the General Assembly, attempts to rebuild Republicans' presence in New England, and other issues.

Young Volunteers Could Loom Large in the Expected Taveras-Raimondo Primary in 2014

Ian Donnis — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:31:44 +0000

The sophisticated grassroots campaign in support of same-sex marriage offers a tangible reminder of the value of field work makes in Rhode Island politics. So as we move closer to an expected Democratic gubernatorial clash between Angel Taveras and Gina Raimondo next year, keep an eye on their level of outreach to young political activists.

RI Supreme Court Upholds Pona Murder Conviction

Ian Donnis — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:43:33 +0000

The Rhode Island Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man charged in the slaying of a 15-year-old murder witness in 2000.

Charles Pona was charged with arranging the death of witness Jennifer Rivera. Rivera was approached by a gunman as she was skipping rope in front of her house on Providence’s South Side. She was killed to prevent her from testifying against Pona in a murder case.

In rejecting Pona’s appeal of his conviction, the Supreme Court said he’s had his day in court after two trials and two appeals and that the rule of law has prevailed.

Hassett Throws Support in Secretary of State Race to Pacheco

Ian Donnis — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:33:24 +0000

Longtime Providence City Councilor Terry Hassett, who had been eyeing a bid for secretary of state in 2014, has decided to seek re-election instead while tossing his support to former state Democratic chairman Edwin Pacheco.

Via news release:

Moderate Party's Ken Block Seeks Governorship Again

Ian Donnis — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:10:39 +0000

Moderate Party founder Ken Block has announced that he’ll be a candidate for governor next year. Block calls himself a problem-solver who can move the state forward.

Block thinks he can significantly improve on his showing in 2010, when he got six and a half percent of the vote for governor. He says he’s running because Rhode Island’s problems are abundantly clear.

Ken Block Announces Run for Governor in 2014

Ian Donnis — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:27:50 +0000

Moderate Party founder Ken Block, who has hinted for months about a second run for governor, made it official Tuesday, unveiling a campaign Web site and an announcement:

Steve Laffey Running for Governor in Colorado

Ian Donnis — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:36:09 +0000

Former Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey, who had a meteoric rise in Rhode Island politics before losing a Republican primary challenge to then-US Senator Lincoln Chafee in 2006, is headed toward a GOP run for governor in his adopted state of Colorado.

Via KDVR (h/t Kathy Gregg):

Valois Faces Approval of Full State Senate

Ian Donnis — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:20 +0000

Governor Lincoln Chafee’s choice to lead the state Economic Development Corporation faces approval by the full state Senate committee Tuesday. The votes comes amid debate over the EDC’s future.

Chafee’s choice, Marcel Valois, was unanimously approved by a Senate committee last week. Valois led the EDC in the 1990s during Lincoln Almond’s tenure as governor. He says Rhode Island needs to do a better job of helping business when it can and getting out of the way when it can’t.

TGIF: 12 Things to Know About RI Politics + Media

Ian Donnis — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:10:13 +0000

Welcome back to my Friday column. Your thoughts and tips are always welcome at idonnis (at) ripr (org), and don't forget to follow me on Twitter. Here we go: