For most politicians, the fourth quarter of 2024 was a relatively quiet fundraising period, except for those perceived as possible gubernatorial candidates.
Locally, from the legislature to town and city councils campaign accounts remained stable, with little fundraising and few expenses in a period that included the 2024 election. January 31 was the deadline for candidates to file their fourth quarter (ending Dec. 31) fundraising to the state Board of Elections.
Campaign finance reports tell a lot about politicians – who and what organizations are supporting them, and who they are paying to provide services to their campaigns. Finances are often the differentiator in a campaign, providing the resources for candidates to pay consultants, buy advertising, hold events, hire staff, and much more.
Speaker of the House Joe Shekarchi, D-District 23 of Warwick, added to his very healthy campaign war chest with $47,655 in individual contributions, $8,550 from Political Action Committees, and $31,969 in interest on an account that now totals $3,166,565.
Shekarchi has been mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate by some, although he hasn’t indicated he was running. The next gubernatorial election is in November 2026, which means potential candidates will be assessing whether they have the potential to win, the desire to serve, and the ability to raise sufficient funds to wage a multi-million dollar campaign.
Those who have been clear about their 2026 intentions have been Gov. Dan McKee and Helena Buonanno Foulkes, the former CVS and Hudson’s Bay Company executive, who finished a close second to McKee in the 2022 gubernatorial primary election.
McKee finished the quarter with $552,084 in his campaign account, down from $612,679 the previous quarter. He raised $100,887 from individuals and $10,250 from Political Action Committees during the quarter, but spent funds on political donations, and consulting fees, among other expenditures.
Foulkes, who finished the quarter at $1,044,161, slightly below the previous quarter, raised $241,120 from individuals. She also spent considerable funds on consultants during the quarter.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley also has a substantial war chest of $707,412 and did well fundraising in the fourth quarter, raising $198,075 from individuals and $8,205 from Political Action Committees.
House Finance Chair Marvin Abney, D-Dist. 73, Middletown/Newport, has amassed a substantial campaign finance account with $254,957. His counterpart in the state Senate, Finance Chair Louis DiPalma, D-Dist. 12, Little Compton/Middletown reported $73,220 in his campaign fund.
Here’s a look at other local politicians:
- State Senate:
- Senator Walter Felag, D-Dist. 10, Tiverton/Warren, $46,297.
- Senator Linda Ujifusa, D-Dist. 11, $1,310.
- Senator Dawn Euer, D-Dist. 13, $56,479.
- State House of Representatives:
- Rep. John Edwards, D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, $74,053.
- Rep. Michelle McGaw, D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, $16,251.
- Rep. Terri Denise Cortvriend, D-Dist. 72, Middletown/Portsmouth, $23,887.
- Rep. Alex Finkelman, D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown, $58,245.
- Rep. Lauren H. Carson, D-Dist. 75, Newport, $30,857.
- State general officers:
- Secretary of State Greg Amore, $112,556.
- Lieutenant Governor, Sabina Matos, $17,551.
- Treasurer James Diossa, $136,364.
- Attorney General Peter Neronha, $117,190. Neronha is the only general officer who is term limited. Rumored to be a candidate for governor, it appears he’s now considering a run for lieutenant governor.
- Newport City Council: Mayor Charles Holder, $13,743; Lynn Ceglie, $1,589; Jeanne Marie Napolitano, $8,006; Stephanie Smyth, $3,188; Ellen Pinnock, $273; and Xaykham Khamsyvoravong, $2,743. Also, David Carlin III, whose return, according to the Board of Elections is pending. His fund total was listed as zero. He has also been cited on several occasions by the Boad of Elections late filings.
- Middletown Town Council: Council President Paul Rodrigues, Barbara Vonvillas, and Peter Connerton, all reported zero in their accounts; Thomas Welch III, $25; Dennis Turano, $2,555; Christopher Logan, $2,598; and Charlie Roberts, $379.
- Portsmouth Town Council: Sondra Blank, David Gleason, and Sharlene Patton, all reported zero in their accounts; Keith Hamilton, $27; Mary A. McDowell, $550; Juan Carlos Payero, $652; and David G. Reise, $361.
- Jamestown Town Council: President Nancy Beye, Mary Meagher, E. Edward Ross, and Mary Glackin, all reported zero in their accounts; Eric Brine, $1,558.
- Little Compton: President Patrick A. McHugh, Andrew Iriarte-Moore, Gary S. Mataronas, and Robert L. Mushen, all reported zero in their accounts; and Victoria G. Talbot, $202.
