Campaign Update – King Hits Back at Democratic Party

Campaign Update – King Hits Back at Democratic Party

King responds to claims he’s violating state law by having a Florida license. Election Board overturns challenge to former GOP candidate for lieutenant governor. … State Democrats call Chafee comments “irresponsible.”

King Decries ‘Dirty Politics’

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Republican General Treasurer candidate Kerry King called state Democratic Chairman Ed Pacheco “rude and insulting” after he accused King of breaking state law by holding a license in both Florida and Rhode Island.

“This guy is a joke,” King said. “Does he really think I owe him an explanation for anything? This is Dirty Politics 101 and I will not lower myself to that level.”

“Chairman Pacheco, since you obviously feel that you need to speak for my opponent, Ms. Raimondo, and do all her talking for her; then let us talk about something that Ms. Raimondo is clearly afraid of talking about, the disastrous financial state that Rhode Island is presently in, and exactly who got us here,” King added.

King challenged Pacheco to a joint press conference. He said Pacheco could talk about the issue of his dual licenses while he would challenge him on the Democrats’ record in Rhode Island. In a statement his campaign tied “70 years of Democratic Party Control” to pension plans that are broke, the Central Falls receivership, record foreclosures, “streets falling apart,” and “businesses fleeting.”

The latest poll shows King trailing Raimondo in the race for General Treasurer, registering 17 percent support among voters against 40 percent for her. The poll, which was released by Channel 10, shows that 40 percent of voters are still undecided in the race.

Election Board Denies Primary Challenge

The State Board of Elections yesterday turned down a complaint filed by Kara Russo, who lost the Republican primary for lieutenant governor to Heidi Rogers.

Days after winning, Rogers dropped out and endorsed third-party candidate Bob Healey for the office, saying that since the two shared the same goal of eliminating the position it did not make sense for them to split the vote. In her complaint, Russo sought to reverse Rogers’ decision to drop out.

State GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione applauded the decision yesterday and accused Russo of making a “mockery” of the primary election.

“I would like to thank the RI Board of Elections for rendering its decision this afternoon to reject Ms. Russo’s frivolous claim. I hope that today’s decision will bring an end to Ms. Russo’s relentless campaign of self-promotion, at least for this election cycle,” Cicione said.

He added: “Ms. Russo made mockery of the electoral process by declaring her candidacy for two offices at the same time. Knowing full well that she could not possibly serve in both positions for which she was on the ballot, Ms. Russo has no right to claim that she was a legitimate candidate for either. Further, realizing that her conflicting candidacies could not be taken seriously, she never even requested an endorsement from the RI Republican Party, but instead chose to run disruptive primary campaigns against both Heidi Rogers and John Loughlin, our endorsed Republican candidates.”

State Democrats Call Chafee Comments ‘Irresponsible’

The state Democratic Party chairman slammed former Senator Lincoln Chafee yesterday, calling his comments on the Race to the Top program “irresponsible.”

“Senator Chafee needs to focus on what is best for our state’s children, and his opposition to this historic victory for Rhode Island kids is simply irresponsible,” said party Chairman Ed Pacheco.

“The governor -- whoever that may be come January -- is going to be charged with the responsibility of working with the Department of Education and the education commissioner to help administer these funds. If Linc Chafee is weary about that in any way, shape or form, then the people of Rhode Island should be aware of that and realize that that's not being supportive of this initiative,” Pacheco added.

The independent candidate for governor made the comments Tuesday evening at the KIDS Count Children’s forum. Chafee voiced his concern that local officials may implement programs that will run out of money and fail to be sustained.

“I voted for No Child Left Behind as a Senator and now, I think its nine years later, the jury is out on how effective it’s been… and Race to the Top is the next iteration of No Child Left Behind... I’m kind of weary about supporting Race to the Top,” Chafee said.