EDITORIAL: Will Democratic Primary Voters Continue Their Love of “White Guys”?

EDITORIAL: Will Democratic Primary Voters Continue Their Love of “White Guys”?

 

It is that time. In just two weeks, Democratic voters will go to vote and will have their chance to nominate a woman to be the Democratic nominee for Congress in the now vacant first congressional seat.

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The Democrats in Rhode Island have a perfect record — no women in Congress.

 

It seems difficult to keep the streak going — almost impossible, but it looks like the “white guys” will pull it out again.

 

First, women have had the right to vote for a really long-time — like 100+ years.

 

Second, the majority of Rhode Islanders are women. According to census data, there are about 33,000 more women than men in Rhode Island — so an estimated 16,000 more in the first district.

 

Then, add in factors like the Democrats are the party that talks a big game about women’s issues — reproductive rights, wage parity, removing glass ceilings, etc.

 

Yet, somehow like a Cal Ripken streak of most consecutive games played, the Democrats in Rhode Island, year in and year out, go for the guy.

 

This year, ten Democrats are running - six of them men and four women.

 

So do the numbers look better for women?

 

Not so fast.

 

The two front runners - sitting Lt. Governor Sabina Matos and former State Rep. Aaron Regunberg - are both mired in campaign controversies. While neither controversy is disqualifying, Matos appears to be impacted more than Regunberg.

 

While investigations persist about Matos’ nomination signatures, Regunberg’s daddy-in-law super PAC raises significant questions about his personal ethics and credibility.

 

Let’s call the scandals a wash. So, should the tie go to the "woman?"

 

Not by Rhode Island Democratic Party mores - the tie always goes to the male.

 

Democrats will have a hard time blaming MAGA-Republicans for the nomination of yet another white male to serve in Congress.

 

Remember, the only woman to be elected to Congress from Rhode Island was Republican Claudine Schneider. She served in Congress more than 30 years ago.

 

According to reports from campaigns — Regunberg is now poised to win the Democratic primary. Regunberg, who is the beneficiary of a trust fund and his campaign has been bolstered by his Daddy-in-law's money, ironically is the only Democratic candidate that GOP frontrunner Gerry Leonard could beat, as Regunberg's politics are the most left-leaning of the Democratic field. 

Regunberg rails against the petroleum industry's impact on the climate and yet takes money from daddy-in-law, whose investment firm has hundreds of millions in investments in those very oil and gas firms.

 

In a general election, a career U.S. Marine Colonel with a top-notch service record might be a compelling alternative to Regunberg who has spent the majority of his adult life running for office — literally.

 

Leonard could use the words of multiple progressive leaders against Regunberg.

 

Regardless of the hypotheticals, right now, it looks like the Democrats will elect their man — as they always do.

 

The record is poised to continue — white guy Democrats are undefeated.