Matos Falsely Claimed 31 Endorsements — 6 Did Not Actually Endorse Her

Matos Falsely Claimed 31 Endorsements — 6 Did Not Actually Endorse Her

On Friday, Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos touted in a press release that “over 30” politicians across the state endorsed her candidacy for the soon-to-be vacant first congressional seat. 

Just one problem -- of the 31 that Matos claimed support her congressional run, six do not.

On Friday, the first two claimed that they did not endorse her and then more reporting by GoLocal found that another four never endorsed Matos. 

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“Two of the 30 people who Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos said Friday endorsed her run for Congress are saying they have not endorsed the lieutenant governor,” reported Raymond Baccari, Editor-in-Chief for The Anchor at Rhode Island College, first reported. 

“Two on the endorsement list, former State Rep. Jean Philippe Barros and Warren Town Council President John Hanley, told The Anchor Friday afternoon they haven’t endorsed anyone for CD1 yet,” Baccari reported. 

On Saturday, the campaign admitted that despite its initial claims, that in addition, former State Representative Anastasia Williams, Newport Council Vice Chair Lynn Underwood Ceglie, Newport Council Member Charles Holder, and Tiverton Council Member Joe Perry did not, in fact, endorse Matos. 

24 hours after boasting 30 plus politicians' support -- Matos' list shrunk by 20%.

The following is the list her campaign now claims as endorsements: 

Former Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts
Former State Senator & Gubernatorial Nominee Myrth York
State Representative & Democratic Caucus Chair Grace Diaz
State Representative Ramon Perez
Barrington Town Council Vice President Robert Humm
Barrington Town Council Member Annelise Conway
Barrington Town Council Member Braxton Howard Cloutier
Bristol Town Administrator Steve Contente
Central Falls Council Member Kevin Kazarian
Central Falls Council Member Laurilim Rosado Martinez
Central Falls Council Member Rafael Peguero
Cumberland Council President Mike Kinch
Jamestown Council President Nancy Beye
Newport Council Member Dave Carlin
Portsmouth Council President Kevin Aguiar
Former Providence Council President John Igliozzi
Former Providence Council President Michael Solomon
Providence Council Pro Tempore & Former State Senator Juan Pichardo
Providence Council Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris
Providence Council Member Ana Vargas
Former Providence Council Member Carmen Castillo
Smithfield Council President Michael Lawton
Smithfield Council Member Sean Kilduff
Tiverton Council Vice President Michael Burk
Woonsocket Council President Chris Beauchamp