EXCLUSIVE: Feroce Looks at GOP Run for Governor in 2018
GoLocalProv News Team
EXCLUSIVE: Feroce Looks at GOP Run for Governor in 2018
Feroce is one of a number of people potentially interested in taking on Governor Gina Raimondo. Raimondo, Rhode Island’s first female governor, won in 2014 with just over 40 percent of the vote in a three-way race. Since then, she and her administration have been bogged down with a series of miscues and an inability to spark the state economy.
When asked about a potential gubernatorial run, Feroce said, “Given the recent rise in activity and speculation regarding the 2018 Governor's race, it has prompted a flood of outreach from potential supporters encouraging me to take a serious look at it.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAbout Feroce
Feroce helped to grow Alex and Ani into one of the most successful jewelry companies in America. In 2013, Feroce bought the watch brand BENRUS. Feroce, a Republican, served in the General Assembly in the early 1990s, and was a candidate for Lt. Governor in 1994. He lost to Bob Weygand.
“As a lifetime change agent, I understand why people would want me to consider it, but I have some very important business and personal items that require my leadership at this time. I am not sure about everyone else, but the last 24 months have been very difficult to navigate and if it wasn't for my background being on the Crisis Action Team (CAT) at United States Central Command during main efforts of major wars, I could not imagine what life would be like. Fortunately I have some key people that work with me in both life and business,” said Feroce.
In October, Feroce posted to Facebook his attendance at the Republican Governors Association meeting.
Timing for a Run
Feroce, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Democrat Clay Pell are just some of the names swirling to take on Raimondo. Private polls conducted during the fall election period showed Raimondo with negatives in the 65 to 70 percent range.
“Although I would consider it premature, out of respect to them and my love for the state, I think it is important for me to ensure I approach this conversation as I would everything else, and be comprehensive in my review of the situation and potential opportunity," said Feroce. “I checked the political box 24 years ago as a state senator and don't really have interest in it as a career. If I were to ever run, it would be to execute a 4 to 8 year RI growth strategy that leaves no one behind, with extreme discipline resulting in us being in the top 10 of any state lists in all categories and not the bottom 10.”
Feroce’s entry would create an interesting juxtaposition in the GOP primary. Fung comes off a 2014 run for Governor and an impressive re-election win for Mayor of Cranston in 2016. Fung beat Democrat Michael Sepe 68 percent to 31 percent. The race was expected to be much closer.
When asked about next steps, Feroce said, “I will provide further remarks after the new year.”
Potential 2018 Candidates for RI Governor
GOP/Moderate
Ken Block
The founder of Rhode Island's Moderate Party ran as a GOP candidate for Governor in 2014, but was beat by Cranston Mayor Allan Fung in the primary, 55% to 45%.
The two never made amends and could face each other again. A Block third-party run would almost assuredly mean a Raimondo repeat win.
Block was the champion of eliminating the master lever, but that proved to be a bit of a false god -- the GOP made no gains in the legislature and in fact lost seats. Now, he is calling for line-item veto which may not be the ethics messiah that it is advertised to be.
GOP
Giovanni Feroce
Everyone knows Feroce as a high profile CEO -- first as head of Alex and Ani and now as the CEO of BENRUS. He is a retired combat Army Major, former State Senator and one of the most high profile Rhode Islanders.
His recent open letter to Brown President Christina Paxson this week went viral, and forced a statement from the Ivy League President after students trashed American flags on campus for Veterans Day.
He would bring government, military and business experience to the job.
GOP
Allan Fung
The Mayor of Cranston has a run under his belt, and is widely considered to be making another bid.
In 2014, Raimondo won 40% of the general election vote, Fung garnered 36%, and the late Bob Healey running under the Moderate Party flag collected 21% of the vote.
Many believe that Block put Healey up to run and cost Fung the Governorship.
In his re-election effort this fall, Fung racked up nearly 70% of the vote against long-time Democrat politician Mike Sepe.
GOP
Bobby Nardolillo
The Coventry GOP representative has aspirations of higher office. His family owns one of the largest funeral home companies in Rhode Island, and Nardolillo isn't shy about calling the current Governor out.
He is an outspoken critic of Raimondo and pounds social medial on hot-button issues that he disagrees with her on daily. He is a traditional Republican with a strong base in Coventry - West Warwick - Warwick - Cranston. Those are good places to have a base in a Republican Primary.
GOP
Anthony Giarrusso
He is the one of the legislature's leading advocates for small business - not a bad message for a Republican primary.
An interesting bio -- grew up in Providence and attended Mount Pleasant High School and CCRI. Today, he represents East Greenwich in the House and is the President of a jewelry company in Johnston.
DEM
Gina Raimondo
The first two years has been anything but smooth. She won the Democratic primary with just 42% of the vote and then won the general election with just 40% of the vote.
Her administration has stumbled on staffing, the ill-fated tourism campaign, failure to land GE's headquarters, technology implementation, and most importantly, the lack of economic development. No cranes. She has a fundraising advantage, but as 2016 proved (Clinton outspent Trump 4 to 1 on TV ads) the old rules no longer apply.
The big question today is - just who is her base?
DEM
Clay Pell
The grandson of one of Rhode Island's most beloved political families finished a reasonable third in the 2014 Democratic three-way primary garnering 27% of the vote.
His wife was a top Hillary Clinton campaign staffer and with the tough loss, living in RI must look a lot more attractive. As we know, his skating superstar wife Michelle Kwan coupled with deep pockets makes a Pell run very viable in a Democratic primary.
DEM
Brendan Doherty
Former Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Doherty may be in the mix against sitting Governor Gina Raimondo as well. He ran as a Republican against David Cicilline in 2012 and raised $1.47 million. However, the moderate Doherty can't be ruled out for a Democratic run.
A one-on-one with Raimondo could be interesting as Doherty could argue he knows how to effectively manage an organization. In a three-way with Pell, he could be take the center candidate. If Pell, Raimondo and Doherty were to all go for it, it could be a primary that rivals Bruce Sundlun, Joe Paolino and Frank Flaherty's mega-spend back in 1990.
