2018 Gov’s Playbook: GOP's Self-Inflicted Demise

GoLocalProv Political Team

2018 Gov’s Playbook: GOP's Self-Inflicted Demise

This election cycle, one U.S. Senate seat, two Congressional seats, and five general officers are up for consideration by Rhode Island voters.

Presently, the Rhode Island Republican Party is only competitive in one of those races, and polling data shows that what could be a nearly sure victory is now an uphill battle as the GOP and conservative independent vote is being split by Republican candidate Allan Fung and Independent candidate and former GOP State Rep. Joe Trillo.

Governor Gina Raimondo is the front-runner with a solid lead with an 8-point lead, and yet is only supported by 40 percent of Rhode Island voters, according to a new poll by Harvard’s John Della Volpe. The poll was commissioned by GoLocalProv. The poll had a sampling of 502, and was conducted between October 5 – October 9, 2018.

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"At what point do Joe Trillo and Allan Fung recognize that this is Mutually Assured Destruction and have a sit-down, an arm wrestling match, something to come up with a solution so that we don't re-elect the Governor??????," wrote former Republican Congressional candidate John Loughlin on Facebook.

In response, Gary Sasse posted, "With 3 weeks to go the dye seems to be cast. What a circus. The biggest losers are the people because there has not been a serious discussion of the future for their kids."

Democrats charge that the GOP's efforts are an embarrassment. "Barnum and Bailey’s ended its tour at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center last year, but it’s been replaced in Rhode Island by the Fung-Trillo Three Ring Circus," said Emily Samsel, Communications Director for the Rhode Island Democratic Party.

The GOP failure is that Republicans and Independent voters are split between Republican candidates. 

Loughlin said, "Just keep this in mind, please. Joe Trillo is not directly working for the Governor (yet), but clearly he is helping her win. His own words. "I will stay in this race if I only have 2 points as long as I take them from him (Fung). I don't ever want him to become Governor." So, if you walk that statement out logically that very clearly means he DOES want Gina to win. Thank you Joe Trillo and Patricia Morgan. Gina 2.0 will be, at least partially, on your hands!"

Poll Question

If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were: Democrat Gina Raimondo, Republican Allan Fung and Independent Joe Trillo, for whom would you vote?

Gina Raimondo, a Democrat: 40%

Allan Fung, a Republican: 32%

Joe Trillo, an Independent: 17%

Don't know: 11%

SEE FULL POLL RESULTS BELOW


GoLocal Statewide Poll - FULL RESULTS, Conducted by Harvard's Della Volpe Oct. 2018

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