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State Rep. Marvin Abney, D-Dist. 73 (Middletown, Newport), chair of the state House of Representatives Finance Committee, had the most robust campaign fund among Aquidneck Island’s state legislative delegation.
Abney reported a fund balance of $186,806 as of March 31, according to his first-quarter campaign finance report. Abney, who had been mentioned as a potential state treasurer candidate, raised $2,150 from individual donors and $550 from political action committees during the quarter. Former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa, the only announced candidate for treasurer, reported a fund balance of $155,788 as of March 31. Diossa and Abney are both Democrats.
State Rep. Deb Ruggiero, D-Dist. 74 (Jamestown, Middletown) was the most active fundraiser during the quarter, adding $13,600 from individual donors and $375 from political action committees during the quarter, for a bund balance of $83,304. Ruggiero has announced that she’s running for lieutenant governor.
[Related Story – Jamestown-Middletown Rep. Ruggiero is running for Lieutenant Governor]
She joins two other Democrats vying for the party’s lieutenant governor nomination – incumbent Lt. Gov. Sabino Matos, who reported a fund balance of $316,395, and state Sen. Cynthia Mendes of East Providence, who reported a fund balance of $76,890.
Alex Finkelman announced in late April, well after the close of the first-quarter reporting period, that he was running for the District 74 seat, hopeful of replacing Ruggiero.
[Related Story – Alex Finkelman announces candidacy for State Representative in District 74 (Jamestown, Middletown)]
Fundraising generally was lackluster among incumbents during the quarter, and very few individuals statewide have announced for either Senate or House races.
Here’s a look at the local races:
State Sen. Walter Felag, D-Dist. 10 (Tiverton, Warren), reported a fund balance of $30,704. He received $200 in contributions during the quarter.
State Sen. James Seveney, D-Dist. 11 (Bristol, Portsmouth), reported a fund balance of $7,602. He received $200 in contributions during the quarter.
State Sen. Dawn Euer, D-Dist. 13 (Newport, Jamestown), reported a fund balance of $29,111. She received $1,000 in contributions during the quarter.
[Related Story – Senator Dawn Euer will seek reelection]
State Sen. Lou DiPalma, D-Dist. 12 (Little Compton, Middletown), reported a fund balance of $55,306. He received $1,600 in contributions and $700 from Political Action Committees during the quarter. It appears DiPalma has a primary election opponent, Jenna Magnoski, who is listed on the Rhode Island Political Cooperative website as running for the District 12 seat. There is no listing of her filing a campaign finance report for the first quarter.
State Rep. John Edwards, D-Dist. 70 (Tiverton), reported a fund balance of $71,899. He received $5,575 in contributions and $7,950 from political action committees during the quarter.
State Rep. Michelle McGaw, D-Dist. 71 (Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton), reported a fund balance of $11,010. She received $1,188 in contributions during the quarter.
State Rep. Terri-Denise Cortvriend, D-Dist. 72 (Middletown, Portsmouth), reported a fund balance of $20,738. She reported a loan of $10,000, individual contributions of $2,900, and $200 from political action committees.
State Rep. Lauren Carson, D-Dist. 75 (Newport), reported a fund balance of $30,985 She received $1,000 in contributions during the quarter.