Endorsement Mania 2014: What Does it Mean?
Kate Nagle, GoLocal Contributor
Endorsement Mania 2014: What Does it Mean?
Rhode Island gubernatorial and Providence mayoral candidates are touting endorsements on an almost daily basis, and while former elected officials, party chairs, town committees, and numerous stakeholders are weighing in on who they support for a seat, academics and political pundits vary in their opinion of their value.
Slides: See RI Gubernatorial and Providence Mayoral Candidate Endorsements to Date BELOW
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Veteran Rhode Island political pollster Victor Profughi, however, spoke to what he saw as the political capital -- or pitfalls -- of endorsements.
"Endorsements may have some psychological impact on candidates, both those endorsed and those who failed to be endorsed, but I doubt that many voters are impacted by them. Their greatest value might be assistance in fundraising and leaving the impression of gaining momentum. Party endorsements may have some limited value in some areas of the state in primaries but even in primaries they can cut both ways," said Profughi.
Profughi noted the difference of what he believed endorsements meant in the past -- and what they mean today.
"From the days when party machines really existed, and voters were far less informed from a variety of sources, party endorsements (and voter loyalty) was much higher," said Profughi. "Today it is definitely every candidate for himself or herself."
Deciding Factors
"Endorsements are rarely a game changer. It is true that union, interest group, and political party endorsements can mean more money in the campaign coffers and more volunteers working on behalf of the candidate. And, too, endorsements do attract some media attention," said Endress.
"Those advantages, however, have been eclipsed by such factors as PACs and super PACs pouring big money into campaigns, huge media buys that keep political ads in front of the electorate at a steady stream, more debates at the state and local level, and the candidates' increasingly adept use of social media," Endress continued. "What probably matters most with an endorsement is whether that organization is effective in get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. In a close race, GOTV efforts are essential, particularly in races in which there are no incumbents."
West remained firm in his view that voters made up their minds independent of candidate endorsements.
"People are very independent-minded these days and they evaluate what happens during the campaign and make their decisions accordingly. The candidate who has the most endorsements does not always win. It just means they have put a lot of effort into winning group support and that may or may not translate into electoral success," said West.
In the Republican gubernatorial primary, the candidates were split as to the role of endorsements in their campaigns.
"Mayor Fung is honored to have strong support from the leadership of the Rhode Island Republican Party and is very grateful for the work of grassroots supporters from all around Rhode Island who are mobilizing now to ensure victory in the Primary Election and in November," said Fung spokesperson Rob Coupe. "Republicans throughout Rhode Island clearly recognize Mayor Fung's success at cutting spending, balancing budgets, and creating jobs and believe he will do the same in the Statehouse. Rhode Island Republicans are evaluating Ken Block based on his actions -- his support for President Obama and Obamacare is unacceptable to all but a few Republicans and they realize his recent change of heart amounts to nothing more than personal and political opportunism."
Jeff Britt, spokesperson for Ken Block, took a different vantage point.
"In the Republican primary the endorsements have not historically mattered. They're nice to have, but Lincoln Almond was not the endorsed candidate, and neither was Don Carcieri -- both won the primary and went on to win the general election," said Britt. "We welcome all the support that we get as Ken talks every day about the issues that we need to fix RI. Being too focused on endorsements is the insider way. That's not Ken Block's way."
Fields Set?
With City Council President Michael Solomon has garnered by far the highest number of endorsements to date, pundits weighed in on what endorsements might mean -- or might not mean -- if former Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci decides to enter the race.
"If Buddy Cianci enters the mayoral race, it will shake things up," said West. "People who made prior endorsements may take another look at the field and shift depending on what they see. Since Cianci is well-known, he is less dependent on endorsements than less known candidates would be."
Endress thought that the current endorsements would remain status quo.
"With the exception of the millennials (predicted to show up at the polls in low numbers in 2014), Buddy Cianci is a polarizing figure in Rhode Island politics. Because he evokes strong feelings--both positive and negative--endorsements are unlikely to change the outcome, should he enter the race," said Endress.
"Buddy needs a multi-candidate race to win. He has a probable base of support of maybe one-third or so of the vote. He need not fret about who has whose endorsement at this stage," said Profughi. "He can be counted on as a very shrewd bean counter. If he decides to run, I'm fairly sure that he will have calculated what he needs to do to put together a path to victory, and I would never underestimate his ability to win, regardless of who goes on the record as endorsing whom."
2014 Candidate Endorsements
Ken Block
Republican Candidate for Governor
Ian Prior
Helen Glover
RI Taxpayers
Doreen Costa
City/ Town Republican Chairs
Jim McGuire-North Kingstown
Steve Primiano-Barrington
Stephen Rawson-Burrillville
Michael Grossi-North Providence
Mark Dosdorian-Cumberland (President of the RIGOP Chairman's Caucus)
Michael Napolitano-Lincoln
Phil Hirons-Former Smithfiled Republican Town Chair, Former President of the RIGOP Chairman's Caucus
Allan Fung
Republican Candidate for Governor
Governor Lincoln Almond (retired)
National Committeewoman of the RI Republican Party and State Representative (retired), Carol Mumford
National Committeeman of the RI Republican Party, Steven Frias
Republican candidate for Attorney General and current State Senator, Dawson Hodgson
Rhode Island Young Republicans
City/Town Republican Chairs
Nick Lima - Cranston
Chuck Newton - East Greenwich
Diane Allen – Exeter
Bruce Campbell - Foster
Ted Burlingame - Glocester
Amy Gallagher - Jamestown
Robert Matteo- Johnston
Pat Hagan - Little Compton
Antone Viveros – Middletown
Meg Rodgers - Narragansett
Bill McKernan – New Shoreham
Barbara Ann Fenton - Newport
Ted Soly – North Smithfield
Scott Rotondo – Pawtucket
Jeff Richard - Portsmouth
Paul Michaud - Richmond
Scott Klimaj - Scituate
Roland Benjamin - South Kingstown
Frank Nencka - Warren
Mike Penta - Warwick
Rob Priolo - Westerly
Rob Butler - West Greenwich
Lee Ann Sennick - Woonsocket
City/Town Republican Committees:
Burrillville
Cranston
East Greenwich
Foster
Middletown
Narragansett
North Providence
Pawtucket
Scituate
Westerly
Woonsocket
Todd Giroux
Democratic Candidate for Governor
Statement from campaign:
"I refuse to let the words hope, change, trust and investment in RI to be muddled with party politics. Many political leaders and RI Voters of every campaign and party know I speak truth to power putting people first. Follow my personal facebook page and you will see a long list of ardent RI Voters who are of all Political Party and Independent voter engaged for the best America and fair rules of the road for banking, housing and human decency supporting my campaign."
Clay Pell
Democratic Candidate for Governor
National Education Association of Rhode Island (NEARI)
United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP)
East Providence Democratic City Committee
Charlestown Democratic City Committee
Johnston Democratic City Committee
Victor Capellan, who served as deputy campaign manager for Angel Taveras during his 2010 mayoral campaign.
* According to website
Gina Raimondo
Democratic Candidate for Governor
Barrington Democratic Town Committee
Cumberland Democratic Town Committee
East Greenwich Democratic Town Committee
Foster Democratic Town Committee
New Shoreham Democratic Town Committee
North Smithfield Democratic Town Committee
Scituate Democratic Town Committee
Tiverton Democratic Town Committee
Warren Democratic Town Committee
Bricklayers' and Allied Craftsmen Local 3
Ironworkers' Local 37
Plumbers' & Pipefitters' Local 51
Plasterers' and Cement Masons' Local 40
Roofers' and Waterproofers' Local Union No. 33
Sprinkler Fitters Local 669
Operating Engineers' Local 57
Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
United Steelworkers Local 12431
EMILY's List
Women's Campaign Fund
Italian American Democratic Leadership Council
Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts
Myrth York
Gov. Philip Noel
Sen. Donna Nesselbush
Rep. Grace Diaz
Rep. Anastasia Williams
Providence Councilman Luis Aponte
Providence Councilman Davian Sanchez
Providence Councilwoman Sabina Matos
Smithfield Councilwoman Suzy Alba
Woonsocket Councilman Garrett Mancieri
Angel Taveras
Democratic Candidate for Governor
The Rhode Island State Association of Firefighters
The American Association of University Professors URI Chapter
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 328
U.S. Senator Tom Harkin
Retired Pawtucket Mayor James E. Doyle
Former Senator Rhoda Perry
Senator Elizabeth Crowley
Senator Daniel Da Ponte
Senator James E. Doyle II
Senator Gayle Goldin
Senator Maryellen Goodwin
Senator Roger Picard
Senator Juan Pichardo
Senator Leonidas Raptakis
Senator Adam Satchell
Representative Marvin Abney
Representative Joseph Almeida
Representative Gregg Amore
Representative David Bennett
Representative Stephen Casey
Representative Robert Craven Sr.
Representative John DeSimone
Representative John Edwards
Representative Deborah Fellela
Representative Frank Ferri
Representative Scott Guthrie
Representative Ray Johnston
Representative Katherine Kazarian
Representative James McLaughlin
Representative Helio Melo
Representative Mary Messier
Representative Michael Morin
Representative Tom Palangio
Representative Patricia Serpa
Representative Agostinho Silva
Representative Scott Slater
Representative Lisa Tomasso
Representative Larry Valencia
Representative Donna Walsh
Pawtucket City Councilman Jean Philippe Barros
Pawtucket City Councilman Terrence Mercer
Pawtucket City Council President David Moran
Pawtucket Councilor At Large Lorenzo Tetreault
Pawtucket Councilor At Large Albert Vitali, Jr.
Pawtucket City Councilman Mark Wildenhain
Coventry Democratic Town Committee
Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee
North Kingstown Democratic Town Committee
Pawtucket Democratic City Committee
Providence Democratic City Committee
Smithfield Democratic Town Committee
Westerly Democratic Town Committee.
Lorne Adrain
Democratic Candidate for Mayor of Providence
Statement from campaign:
“Lorne has been focusing his efforts on identifying real solutions for Providence, not on political endorsements. As Mayor, Lorne will always put our neighborhoods and citizens ahead of politics. He brings the fresh perspective and years of experience necessary to help create jobs and grow Providence’s economy, not politics as usual," said Adrain campaign spokesperson Steve Gerencser.
Jorge Elorza
Democratic Candidate for Mayor of Providence
Phil West, Retire Head of Common Cause Rhode Island
Marie Langlois, Board Member of the Rhode Island Foundation
John Kelly, Meeting Street School Chief Executive Officer and President
Victor F. Capellan, Central Falls Deputy School Superintendent
Lorraine Lalli, Roger Williams University School of Law
Stan Israel, Formerly of SEIU 1199
Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20)
Brett Smiley
Democratic Candidate for Mayor of Providence
Myrth York, Former Senator and Democratic Nominee for Governor
Patrick Lynch, Former Attorney General
Rhoda Perry, Former Senator
Ray Sullivan, Former Rep. and Campaign Manager for Marriage Equality RI
Senator Gayle Goldin
Representative Edith Ajello
Representative Art Handy
Representative Frank Ferri
Representative Linda Finn
Margaux Morisseau, State Senate Candidate (District 21)
Lauren Nocera, Campaign Manager for Angel Taveras for Mayor 2010 and Former Chair of the Providence Democratic City Committee
Leah Williams Metts, Chair of the NAACP Youth Council
Eugene Monteiro
Jenn Steinfeld
Jen Stevens
Paula Hodges
Christine West
Michael Solomon
Democratic Candidate for Mayor
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 11
Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
Local #23 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
Ward 5 Democratic Committee
Ward 9 Democratic Committee
Ward 10 Democratic Committee
Joe Almeida, State Representative District 12
Luis Aponte, City Councilman Ward 10
John Carnevale, State Representative District 13
Carmen Castillo, City Councilwoman, Ward 9
Michael Correia, City Councilman Ward 6
John DeSimone, State Representative District 5 and House Majority Leader
Grace Diaz, State Representative District 11
Senator Maryellen Goodwin, Providence Democratic City Committee Chairwoman and Rhode Island Senate Majority Whip
Terrence Hassett, City Councilman Ward 12 & President Pro Tempore
Wilbur Jennings, City Councilman Ward 8
Sabina Matos, City Councilwoman Ward 15
Nicholas Narducci, City Councilman Ward 4 & Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Thomas Palangio, State Representative District 3
David Salvatore, City Councilman Ward 14
Scott Slater, State Representative District 10
Anastasia Williams, State Representative District 9
Seth Yurdin, City Councilman Ward 1 & Majority Leader
Sam Zurier, City Councilman Ward 2
