2018 Gov’s Playbook: Morgan Scores Points, Raimondo Goes Negative
GoLocalProv Political Team
2018 Gov’s Playbook: Morgan Scores Points, Raimondo Goes Negative
Morgan scored points for pledging to name former Rhode Island Attorney General Arlene Violet to serve as Inspector General.
Morgan did some house cleaning and showed she has the leadership skill by disciplining Republican House member Bob Lancia.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"He was asking them to do things that would have been benefitting to his campaign, such as opposition research, and he was getting angry because they weren't doing it," said Morgan."The staff was in a tough position."
"I haven't talked with [Lancia] since sending the letter, but he has stopped asking [the House minority office staff] for campaign work," said Morgan.
Lancia has denied the claims by office workers.
Raimondo and Brown Race Tightens
Rumors are swirling about polling data which shows the Democratic primary between Governor Gina Raimondo and challenger Matt Brown tightening.
One indication that the Raimondo team is concerned about Brown is the campaign’s launch of a new attack ad titled “Workers” which hits Brown on the financial failure of his 2006 campaign for United States Senate.
SEE AD BELOW
Confident frontrunners don't usually go negative the final days of a campaign unless there is empirical data showing the race becoming dangerously close.
Raimondo continues to refuse to debate Brown. In 2014, Raimondo debated her Democratic challengers Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Clay Pell, grandson of the late U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell.
2018 Governor’s Race Playbook - September 4, 2018
Momentum: Up
Matt Brown (D)
Wins:
Brown's campaign has spooked the Raimondo campaign enough that the Governor has gone negative against Brown.
But, does he have the campaign organization to ensure that his voters get out an vote in the Democratic primary?
Losses:
Brown has all the momentum, but not all of the money.
X-Factor: Could Brown pull off the biggest political upset in America?
Momentum: Up
Patricia Morgan (R)
Wins:
Big week.
Got big play for floating the idea of naming Arlene Violet to head the yet to be created office of inspector general.
And, showed some spunk by disciplining fellow GOP lawmaker Bob Lancia.
Losses:
N/A
X-Factor: Is this enough?
Momentum: Flat
Gina Raimondo (D)
Wins:
Raimondo used her campaign war chest to unleash a blistering attack on challenger Matt Brown.
Losses:
As Governor, her administration issued a new school gun policy and then refused to turn over the legal opinion for the basis of the policy. Another transparency issue for the Raimondo administration.
X-Factor: Raimondo supporters have to be concerned that the campaign went negative against Brown in the closing days.
Momentum: Flat
Spencer Dickinson (D)
Wins:
He now has a billboard on route 95.
Losses:
N/A
X-Factors: Is a vote for Dickinson in the Democratic primary, a vote for Raimondo?
Momentum: Flat
Giovanni Feroce (R)
Wins:
His Facebook post calls for GOP primary voters to switch to his campaign:
Come on everyone, let's step on the gas. Get 25 people you know to the polls on Sept 12. Every single vote counts.
People are listening, they might not be as overt as others commenting etc but people are listening. They want change.
I will put us on a path of great prosperity and focus.
Losses:
N/A
X-Factor: Is he competitive?
Momentum: Down
Joe Trillo (I)
Wins:
Headlines for Trillo's press releases this week were:
Joe Trillo Says Governor Raimondo’s New Directive on Guns is Creating a Potentially Dangerous Situation in RI Schools
Joe Trillo Criticizes Allan Fung for Dodging WPRO Republican Primary Debate
Losses:
Attack, attack, attack. Little for weeks on his vision for Rhode Island.
X-Factor: Trump's polling has hit record lows. More Trump issues may mean trouble for Trillo in November.
Momentum:Down
Allan Fung (R)
Wins:
Fung has been playing it safe. Staying away from controversial issues. Refusing debates.
Losses:
Fung is the frontrunner. Is his middle of the road strategy dangerous in a GOP primary?
X-Factor: Is he playing it too safe?
Momentum: Down
Luis Daniel Muñoz (I)
Wins:
No campaign announcements.
He did Tweet:
This weekend was full of opportunities to meet wonderful people, and to celebrate some of the great facets of Rhode Island. I look forward to spending time on the East Bay and South County over the next few days.... https://www.facebook.com/Rhode2Liberty/posts/408208879710132 …
Losses:
N/A
X-Factor: All quiet
