by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJuly 19, 2024 Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has an unobstructed path to victory in the November election, after a would-be Republican challenger failed to turn in the required 50 signatures of district voters needed to make the November ballot. Dana James Traversie, a Warwick Republican whose campaign […]
Election
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Democratic City Committee invites Newport voters and candidates to signature gathering event
The Newport Democratic City Committee invites declared candidates and all registered Newport voters to a signature-gathering event on July 8 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Newport Elks Lodge. Candidates for federal, statewide, and local public office must collect signatures from registered voters in their district to be placed on the ballot. The number […]
Posted inCity & Government
Councilman’s campaign fines’ case to collections, as Election Board tries to resolve outstanding cases
Newport City Councilman David Carlin III, who is running unopposed for reelection in the city’s third ward, has apparently dodged efforts by the state Board of Elections to collect more than $2,500 in campaign fines, resulting in the Board referring the case to the Central Collections Unit at the Revenue Department, according to Richard Thornton, […]
Posted inElection
Dr. Michael Fine: Will the real Democratic Party please stand up?
In the past week, it has become abundantly clear that the Democratic Party does not have a viable candidate for president, and equally clear that the Democratic Party can’t tell itself the truth and move on for the good of the country. Joe Biden has been a good president. But he’s not re-electable, something everyone else besides […]
Posted inCity & Government
RI Department of State and State Board of Elections issue reminders for signature collection period
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, the RI Department of State Elections Division, and the State Board of Elections are today reminding candidates of the availability of nomination papers, sharing new educational resources, and urging candidates to follow best practices for signature collection. “As campaign season is upon us once again, we want to remind […]
Posted inCity & Government
Legislation enables Newport to raise cruise ship passenger fees; put infrastructure bond question on November ballot
STATE HOUSE – Two new laws sponsored by Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Dawn Euer will enable Newport to raise its landing and boarding fees for cruise ships and to seek city voters’ approval in November for $98.5 million bond for infrastructure improvements. Both bills were backed by the City Council, approved by the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Nearly half of the state’s legislative positions are unopposed
Nearly half of Rhode Island’s General Assembly seats will be uncontested in the 2024 elections, according to the list of candidates who filed their declaration papers this week, and as reported by the Secretary of State’s office. That includes all of the Newport area legislators, except for Rep. John Edwards, D-Dist. 70 of Tiverton; Senator […]
Posted inCity & Government
Incumbents are unopposed in nearly half of General Assembly races
by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island CurrentJune 26, 2024 Former Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt will not attempt a comeback run for the Rhode Island Legislature this year, despite commissioning a voter survey and telling local news outlets she was considering challenging Rep. Jon Brien, an independent, for the seat she once held. In an emailed statement […]
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Michelle McGaw announces re-election campaign
Today, Representative Michelle McGaw announced that she will see re-elections for House District 71. “Representative Michelle McGaw is pleased to announce her campaign for reelection to represent District 71 in the Rhode Island State House of Representatives. Michelle McGaw was elected in 2020 to Represent District 71, which encompasses Northern Portsmouth, Southern Tiverton, and all […]
Posted inCity & Government
Congressman Amo files for re-election
Today, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) filed his Declaration of Candidacy for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District in 2024’s election. “While it seems like it was just yesterday, it’s been over 200 days since I was sworn into Congress to serve as a voice for Rhode Islanders in Washington,” said Congressman Amo. “Each one of those […]
Posted inCity & Government
Here’s who’s running for office in Newport County
Candidates for local and legislative offices across the state began filing their declarations of candidacies on Monday, the first step in an election process that culminates with a Statewide Primary on September 10 and the general election on November 5. Some candidates have already announced, although nothing becomes official until they actually file the declaration […]
Posted inCity & Government
Seth Magaziner launches campaign for reelection to U.S. House
Today, Representative Seth Magaziner announced that he has filed for reelection in the 2024 race to represent Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional district. “As the Representative for Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District, I have been laser focused on fighting for the middle class and those working hard to join it. I have stood up to the […]
Posted inColumns
Just My Opinion: Fact-checking – critical in what will be a challenging election year
In years past, voters in this country, and this state could count on a robust media to fact check those politicians’ seeking offices from school board to the presidency. But the media has changed, and where once there were robust print publications, there are now stripped-down versions, if at all. Staffs that numbered in the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Dawn Euer will seek re-election
Today, Senator Dawn Euer announced that she will run for re-election to the Rhode Island Senate in District 13, which represents Newport and Jamestown. On her campaign, Euer said, “Each year, as we make progress on a variety of critical issues at the State House, it is made clear that impactful state policy has the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Steph Smyth will run for Newport City Council At-Large
Just two weeks after announcing she would seek election to Newport City Council, Steph Smyth today announced that she will run for an At-Large position on City Council. Smyth provided the following letter to What’sUpNewp on Tuesday, June 18. Steph Smyth Decides To Run At-Large Receives Endorsement from Outgoing Councilor Angela (McCalla) Lima Sixth-generation Newporter, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Ellen Pinnock is running to represent Ward 1 on Newport City Council
Today, Ellen Pinnock announced she is running to represent Ward 1 on Newport City Council. Earlier today, current Ward 1 Councilor Angela (McCalla) Lima announced she wouldn’t seek re-election this November and endorsed Pinnock. Pinnock provided the following statement to What’sUpNewp on Tuesday, June 18. Community Leader Ellen Pinnock Announces Run for Ward 1Endorsed by […]
Posted inCity & Government
Angela (McCalla) Lima won’t seek re-election to Newport City Council
Angela (McCalla) Lima has announced that she will not seek re-election to continue representing Ward 1 on Newport City Council in November. Angela provided the following letter to What’sUpNewp on Tuesday, June 18; where she endorses a candidate running to fill her seat on City Council. “Dear Friends and Neighbors, After much reflection and heartfelt […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island General Assembly takes steps to ensure election integrity
A new law approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly would establish a clear process for reporting and investigating cases of suspected signature fraud on candidates’ nomination papers. The legislation was spurred by the discovery of numerous deceased people’s signatures on a congressional candidate’s nomination paper in Rhode Island’s 1st congressional district race last summer. […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport seeking poll workers
With election season getting underway, the City of Newport is looking for individuals interested in serving as Poll Workers for the upcoming primary and general elections. Newport residents 16 years of age or older who are registered, or pre-registered to vote for those under 18, are encouraged to reach out to the City’s Canvassing Office […]
Posted inNews
Let the Games Begin: Candidate declarations in two weeks
In about two weeks, candidates for local and legislative offices across the state will be filing their declarations of candidacies, the first step in an election process that culminates with the general election in November. Some candidates have already announced, although nothing becomes official until they actually file the declaration papers and then accumulate the […]
Posted inElection, Food & Drink, News
No ‘calamari comeback’? The squid chef from Democrats’ 2020 convention says he’s a Trump backer
By WILL WEISSERT Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The “calamari comeback” chef who delighted viewers of the last Democratic National Convention might not be coming back. John Bordieri was dubbed by some as the “calamari ninja” for standing wordlessly, clad head-to-toe in black, and holding a platter of lightly buttered, sautéed squid on a Rhode Island beach […]
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Rep. Cortvriend will run for a fourth term in R.I. House District 72, which represents Middletown and Portsmouth
Rhode Island House Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend announced that she will run for a fourth term in House District 72, which serves Middletown and Portsmouth. Rep. Cortvriend’s announcement follows; HOUSE REP. CORTVRIEND TO RUN FOR FOURTH TERMPORTSMOUTH, RI – Rhode Island House Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend announced that she will run for a fourth term representing House […]
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Steph Smyth announces run for Newport City Council
Today, Steph Smyth announced her candidacy for Newport City Council. Smyth should be a familiar name to many Newport residents as she ran for office in 2022, missing a seat on Newport City Council by just 113 votes. Smyth’s full announcement follows; Lifelong Resident, Active Community Member Steph Smyth Announces Run For Newport City Council […]
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Middletown Library offers Town Council candidate training
The Middletown Public Library has announced a new program that aims to equip first-time town council candidates with the skills and tools necessary to successfully run for office. The program, which is being offered in collaboration with Town Council Member Barbara VonVillas, will include a thorough introduction to municipal leadership and current issues facing the […]
Posted inCity & Government, Election, News, Politics
Biden lays into Trump over convictions and says he now poses a greater threat than in 2016
By FATIMA HUSSEIN and WILL WEISSERT Associated Press GREENWICH, Conn. (AP) — President Joe Biden laid into his predecessor and likely opponent in November’s election, Donald Trump, for being convicted by a Manhattan jury on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments, saying Monday night that “this campaign has entered uncharted territory.” Speaking at a fundraiser in Greenwich, Connecticut, […]