On Politics

Rhode Island’s most prominent Democrats, including both of its US senators and the very popular Angel Taveras and Gina Raimondo, are set today to offer some belated support to Congressman David Cicilline as he finds himself in a dead heat with Republican challenger Brendan Doherty.

This new spot from David Cicilline’s re-election campaign characterizes as old news attacks from the NRCC about the Democrat’s past criminal-defense work.

Doherty’s camp, meanwhile, is offering this message to supporters:

James Diossa has landed the endorsement of RI’s senior senator, Jack Reed.

Via news release:  

“I am supporting James because I know that he is the right leader to turn Central Falls around and lead it to a bright new future,” Senator Reed stated.  “I have walked the streets of Central Falls with him and I trust that he will be a strong advocate for the people of his city.”

Reed said that, “this coming Tuesday is a critical election and I hope you will stand with James Diossa, a candidate who truly embodies the city’s motto of ‘a bright future.’”

Depending on what happens with the the race next Tuesday between House Speaker Gordon Fox and independent challenger Mark Binder, the election could be a mere ripple — if Fox defeats Binder handily. Yet if Binder comes somewhat close to beating Fox, or stages an upset, the impact on Statehouse politics will be more dramatic.

House Speaker Gordon Fox’s campaign filed a complaint today with the state Board of Elections, asserting that independent challenger Mark Binder violated a campaign finance statute by failing to report in a filing this week $2000 in television advertising expenses.

The sharply fought First Congressional District race will likely be won through the ground game on Election Day since a new Channel 12 poll shows the contest remains very much up for grabs.

The poll by veteran pollster Joseph Fleming shows Democrat David Cicilline with a one-point lead over Republican challenger Brendan Doherty. The margin of error, meanwhile, is just under six percentage points.

On the same day that the National Republican Congressional Committee put out another attack ad targeting long-ago criminal-defense work by David Cicilline, Brendan Doherty’s campaign offers an upbeat spot with the candidate and his wife.

First, the NRCC commercial:

Now, the Doherty campaign spot:

The once firmly Republican editorial page of the Providence Journal is going in a different direction after backing a string of Democratic candidates, throwing its support to Brendan Doherty in the down-to-the-wire race with David Cicilline.

Doherty’s campaign, via a news release, offers this commentary:

Batten down the hatches for Sandy and get ready for another version of my Friday column. Thanks for reading, and feel free to send me tips, comments, and the like: idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let’s get to it:

House Speaker Gordon Fox’s campaign says it has filed a complaint today with the state Board of Elections today over the radio spot placed by Conneticut resident Harvey Adelberg. Fox’s campaign also says the spot is linked with Fox’s opponent, Mark Binder.