Democrats Road Test ’24 Themes in Rhode Island Special Election … – Bloomberg Government
Rhode Island has become a temporary Democratic Party laboratory testing which messages and messengers motivate the base.
The candidates running in the special Sept. 5 primary to replace ex-Rep. David Cicilline offer something for just about every variety of Democrat. Their pitches, policy stances, political styles, and personal backgrounds vary enough to provide insight into which of the partys power centers might have a leg up as they try to regain control of the House next year.
Its a microcosm of the Democratic dilemma nationally, said Wendy Schiller, a political science professor at Brown University.
This race can give us hints about the persistent battle in the Democratic Party between White very liberal progressives and candidates of color, she said. Both types of candidates have been successful at attracting outside PAC money, which shows how interest groups can reinforce divisions within the party.
Key groups on Capitol Hill have weighed in.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC, EMILYs List and the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund endorsed Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos.
Former Biden and Obama administration aide Gabe Amo has the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Bernie Sanders headlined a rally for former state lawmaker, Aaron Regunberg, who has the endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Regunbergs uncle, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), is a member of the New Democrat Coalition.
Photographer: Kate Ackley
Aaron Regunberg shown in August 2023 while campaigning for the Democratic nomination in a special congressional election.
Theres a lot the party can learn from this economically and ethnically diverse urban-suburban district, said Schiller.
The district, home to waterfront mansions, giant jazz and folk festivals, the CVS corporate headquarters, and significant immigrant communities, has a population thats about 63% non-Hispanic White, according to the Census Bureaus 2021 American Community Survey, which found that languages other than English are spoken in about 27% of the districts homes.
About a quarter of the households were living on less than $35,000 a year, and another quarter had income exceeding $100,000, the survey estimated.
First-Generation Americans Vie to Fill Cicillines House Seat
Its a crowded primary, with a dozen names on the ballot in a district so dominated by the Democratic Party that the primary is the key contest in choosing a successor to Cicilline (D), who resigned to run the Rhode Island Foundation. Several of the candidates including Matos, Amo, and state Sen. Sandra Cano, who is originally from Colombia have the chance to be ground-breakers as the first person of color or female Democrat to represent the state in Congress.
As they make their case to voters via TV, radio, and online ads, the candidates have focused on personal biographies, support for abortion rights, stricter gun laws and climate legislation.
Matos campaign has tried to emphasize her journey as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who learned English on the job at a jewelry factory, but its also been on the defensive because of a controversy related to fraudulent signatures to get her on the ballot.
Matos said a vendor had produced the fraudulent signatures, including from deceased people. I feel awful to know that this may have created any type of mistrust in the democratic process, she said during an interview in her Providence campaign headquarters.
Photographer: Kate Ackley
Rhode Island Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos discusses her campaign for a vacant seat in Congress
An opponent who had been aggressively criticizing Matos, meanwhile, says hes no longer in the race after drawing his own unwelcome attention over text messages sent to a student while teaching college.
Don Carlson, a wealthy investor attempting his first run for office, announced the suspension of his campaign after extraordinary stress on my family and close friends. Early voting had already been underway for 11 days before he made that declaration, and Carlsons name remains on the ballot.
Among the other candidates, frequent themes include the importance of defending democracy and taking on MAGA Republicans consistent with talking points put out by the national party committees.
Regunberg, in a debate this week, was the only candidate who said he would have voted no on this years debt ceiling deal, so long as his wasnt the deciding vote (in which case he said he would have voted yes). Numerous candidates, including Matos and Amo, said Regunbergs position amounted to playing politics. A new super PAC, Committee for a Better Rhode Island, swiftly launched an ad attacking Regunberg on that topic.
Photographer: Kate Ackley
Rhode Island congressional candidate Gabe Amo talks with residents on their porches while campaigning door-to-door in Newport with Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong.
Amo, who hasnt held elective office, has been telling voters that his experience in Washington, combined with his upbringing in Pawtucket and work for state officials, would help make him effective in the House.
I have been at the heights of government, working for President Biden, he said, while going to voters homes in the Point neighborhood of Newport with Mayor Xaykham Xay Khamsyvoravong, who has endorsed Amo. My experience working for two presidents and working for the governor here equips me with the ability to get things done, like, faster than the normal junior member of Congress.
Even as a late-summer, off-year, low-turnout contest, the race has showcased Democrats internal strife over the role of money in politics, as rhetoric about wanting to banish special interest dollars hits the reality of needing to gin up enough cash and TV ads to have a viable campaign.
Matos and Regunberg, a former state lawmaker who is white and Jewish, have attracted the most outside funding. The two have tangled over political money, super PACs and lobbyists donations.
BOLD PAC and a super PAC tied to EMILYs List have helped fuel nearly $800,000 in outside support of Matos, while the Working Families Party PAC and others have invested more than $360,000 in support of Regunberg, so far, according to federal disclosures.
Progress Rhode Island, a super PAC supporting Regunberg, drew donations from his family members, including $125,000 from his father-in-law, and is the subject of a Federal Election Commission complaint from Matos campaign. Regunbergs campaign, in response, has criticized the Matos campaigns donations from D.C. lobbyists whose firms represent banking and pharmaceutical clients.
(Keep up with congressional election trends and more with BGOVs Ballots & Boundaries newsletter.)
Regunberg used some of his debate time to criticize Amo for receiving donations from lobbyists, while Amo countered that Regunbergs six-figure family support through the super PAC was a red flag.
We need to get money out of our political system, Regunberg, who has degrees from Brown University and Harvard Law School, said to a crowd from whom he was soliciting campaign donations at a campaign event at the Ragged Island Brewing Co.
It is obscene the way it works, but the fact is right now there is nothing that makes a bigger difference than making sure that we have the resources to pay these wonderful people who are doing this work, said Regunberg, whos running on an anticorporate platform that includes support for Medicare for all legislation.
In special elections like this theres often a bit of a national magnifying glass on them, Regunberg said in an interview at the Portsmouth brewery. Its an opportunity to show that Democrats understand that we face big problems right now, and big problems require big solutions.
To contact the reporter on this story: Kate Ackley at kackley@bloombergindustry.com
To contact the editors responsible for this story: George Cahlink at gcahlink@bloombergindustry.com; Katherine Rizzo at krizzo@bgov.com
Read more here:
Democrats Road Test '24 Themes in Rhode Island Special Election ... - Bloomberg Government
- Dan Osborn spurns Democrats, other parties whose help he sought in Senate race Nebraska Examiner - Nebraska Examiner - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- House Democrats Have Overwhelmingly Voted Against Our Law Enforcement Officers - GOP.gov - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Houston House Democratic primary gets uglier ahead of runoff - The Texas Tribune - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Here's what to know about the May 23 Idaho Democratic presidential caucus Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- With sagging polls, could Biden hurt Democrats in critical New York House races? - Spectrum News NY1 - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democratic filibuster of initiative petition bill exceeds 41 hours, sets new record Missouri Independent - Missouri Independent - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Thousands of Philly Democrats wrote in names other than Biden during Pa. Primary, data shows - NBC Philadelphia - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- JESSE WATTERS: If Democrats are going to lock up Republicans, maybe they need a taste of their own medicine - Fox News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Attacked on abortion pivot, Hogan says 'we'll see if voters believe me' - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- House Democrats launch probe of Trump's dinner with oil executives - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Outside money in Oregon swing district prompts claims of Republican meddling Oregon Capital Chronicle - Oregon Capital Chronicle - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats' Last Chance to Dump Biden? - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats seek escape hatch on vote to force Biden's hand on Israel - Axios - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Michigan Democrats want review of signatures submitted by GOP Senate candidates - Detroit Free Press - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Opinion | Democrats could sweep the 2024 elections and make major policy changes - The Washington Post - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats face rupture over vote to force Israel arms shipments - Axios - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Will Maryland's 'uncommitted' primary voters sway Biden administration on Gaza cease-fire? - Maryland Matters - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Opinion | Can This Ex-Republican Revive Democrats in Rural Ohio? - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Who is Angela Alsobrooks? The Maryland Democrat faces Larry Hogan this fall - NPR - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats look to band together after Maryland's bruising Senate primary - Yahoo News UK - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democratic Georgia Senate retirements open seats for first time in decades - The Atlanta Journal Constitution - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Maryland Democrats battle for party's future and control of the Senate - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- As House readies a vote on Israeli arms, Democrats whip members in opposition - Roll Call - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Sixteen Democrats join Republicans to override Biden's halt on bomb transfers to Israel - Middle East Eye - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats Batter Bank Regulator Over F.D.I.C.'s 'Toxic' Workplace Culture - The New York Times - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Virginia: Two Democrats vie for chance to take on Wittman - Richmond Times-Dispatch - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Missouri Democrats' filibuster effort to make it harder to amend state constitution - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Democrats, Republicans say higher education is valuable - Inside Higher Ed - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Fuel industry group targets Biden and Democrats in key states over emissions standards - NBC News - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- Johnson falls short with claim on Democrats backing of abortions up to the moment of birth - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - May 18th, 2024 [May 18th, 2024]
- 3 out of 5 NV congressional Democrats want to let the mining industry party like it's 1872 Nevada Current - Nevada Current - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- As co-rulers of the House, the Democratic majority-in-waiting may have already arrived - The Washington Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Speaker Mike Johnson Survives Marjorie Taylor Greene Move to Oust Him - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Ex-GOP Gov. Hogan is popular with some Maryland Democrats, but not enough to put him in the Senate - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Saturday letters: Pitfalls of unaffiliated voting; 'gullible' Democrats - The Providence Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Nervous about falling behind the GOP, Democrats are wrestling with how to use AI - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- If Democrats choose the teachers unions, Hispanics will choose their families instead - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats seek to make GOP pay in November for threats to reproductive rights - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Noting campus protests, Democrats are preparing for intense action at their summer convention - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- 15 House Democrats call on Biden to take border executive action - CBS News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Trump criticizes Jewish Democrats as he attacks Biden over threat to withhold U.S. weapons to Israel - NBC News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- How Democrats Hope to Limit Protests at the DNC in Chicago - TIME - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Analysis | No, Democrats didn't vote to give noncitizens a voice in Congress - The Washington Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Inside the College Democrats' Rebuke of Biden - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- In the Arizona Senate Race, Ruben Gallego Shows Democrats What It Takes to Win Back Latinos - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats, Sensing Shift on Abortion Rights Among Latinas, Push for More Gains - The New York Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Ex-GOP Gov. Hogan is popular with some Maryland Democrats, but not enough to put him in the Senate - Bowling Green Daily News - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Why Democrats Are Suddenly Excited About Florida - TIME - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Illinois Democrats' law changing the choosing of legislative candidates faces GOP opposition - The Associated Press - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats push Biden for executive action to secure border - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats oppose Senate plan to ensure Biden is on Ohio ballot, while House skips voting on a fix - The Statehouse News Bureau - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Division among Democrats as 26 party members pen letter to Biden condemning withholding Israel aid - The Jerusalem Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats Impeached Trump Over This - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats save Mike Johnson | Latest US politics news from The Economist - The Economist - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Most Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza - poll - The Jerusalem Post - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- McCarthy says he couldnt live with himself if he did deal with Democrats to save Speakership - The Hill - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats never expected this Senate primary to have such high stakes - Semafor - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Column: Expect campus uprisings to cause headaches for Democrats this election - Los Angeles Times - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Abortion rights activists worry about Democrats piggybacking on the cause: This is not a ploy - The Guardian US - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Democrats look to flip the script on border security as Republicans decry political stunt - Washington Examiner - May 11th, 2024 [May 11th, 2024]
- Rep. DeBoyer rips House Democrats for discarding measure that protects state from countries of concern - Mi House ... - Michigan House Republicans - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats demand Biden take executive action on the border crisis - Fox Business - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats prepare to go on offense on immigration in the coming weeks - NBC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Mike Johnson Becomes the Speaker of the Whole House. For Now. - The New York Times - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats vote to prevent ouster of Republican US House speaker by right-wing rebel - FRANCE 24 English - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Video What are the odds Democrats will win the popular vote? - ABC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Exclusive | Democrats Brace for Gaza War Protests at Convention in Chicago - The Wall Street Journal - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats Introduce Bill to Allow Medicaid Coverage of Doulas and Midwives - Truthout - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats work to keep protests from disrupting Chicago convention, with concerns over parallels to 1968 - ABC News - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Majority of Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide - The New Arab - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Idaho Democratic Party doubles legislative candidate numbers in the face of GOP supermajority Idaho Capital Sun - Idaho Capital Sun - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Justice Sotomayor's health isn't the real problem for Democrats winning elections is - The Conversation - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Why Beethoven's ninth appeals to democrats and despots alike - The Economist - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Johnson Survives Greene's Ouster Attempt as Democrats Join GOP to Kill It - Yahoo! Voices - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Atlantic County Democrats want faster mailing of ballots - Press of Atlantic City - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats impeached Trump for exactly what Biden is now doing to Israel - The Hill - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- 163 House Democrats Voted to Protect Speaker Mike Johnson's Job - GV Wire - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Opinion | Trump Knows Dominance Wins. Someone Tell Democrats. - The New York Times - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- 'Terrifying': Democrats say they have plans to keep electors safe from political violence - USA TODAY - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Democrats step up campaign to block third parties - WSWS - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]