Tagged: general assembly

If you thought Rhode Island’s high unemployment and the state’s losing investment in 38 Studios would spark glimmers of legislative realignment at the ballot box, think again.

The Democrats who have ruled the General Assembly since the “Bloodless Revolution” of 1935 strengthened their hand yesterday. Not a single incumbent state rep or senator lost their seat in the general election.

It’s almost all over but the voting. Some questions to consider:

1. If David Cicilline loses, does he try to stage a comeback in 2014?

2. If Brendan Doherty loses, does he move to the head of the list of possible GOP gubernatorial candidates in 2014?

3. How come the RI Republican Party can’t find a GOP candidate for John Loughlin’s old seat in a conservative part of the state?

4. If Doherty loses, will it be because he waited too long to get his message rolling, or because Democrats had a far better ground game?

With Speaker Gordon Fox offering his most definitive plan over the weekend on plans for voting on same-sex marriage in the House, Election Day will offer clues about where the issue is headed in a few other states.

Just four days until Election Day, as my latest TGIF goes to press. As usual, feel free to send tips and thoughts to idonnis (at) ripr (dot) org. Let’s go:

How many Ken Block-style voters are out there?

That’s a big question, since Block says he plans to split his ticket on Tuesday, voting for President Obama and Republican CD1 candidate Brendan Doherty. If Doherty is going to prevail as Rhode Island’s great GOP hope, he needs tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders to do the same thing.

Block explained his stance during a taping of RIPR’s Bonus Q+A, which will air Friday at 6:40 and 8:40 am:

Governor Lincoln Chafee used a video message today (above) to announce litigation by the state over the failure of 38 Studios. The defendants named in the state’s action include Curt Schilling and former EDC director Keith Stokes. 

Here’s the transcription of Chafee’s comments, as provided by the Economic Development Corporation: