Deadline Looms for Candidates in 2010: What to Look For

Deadline Looms for Candidates in 2010: What to Look For

Monday through Wednesday at 4:00 PM is a critical time for the future of Rhode Island.

This time period will determine who declares their candidacy for hundreds of local and statewide offices.

There will be at least 10 groups of new candidates who file to replace 10 retiring members of the General Assembly: Representatives Rod Driver, Tim Williamson, John Loughlin, David Segal, Steven Costantino, Edwin Pacheco, Ray Sullivan and Peter Kilmartin along with Senator Lou Raptakis.  Further, insiders expect 2-4 additional members of the General Assembly to not seek re-election.

In addition, dozens of first-time candidates will file their declaration of candidacies for local office - offering their own version of representative democracy to their fellow citizens.

Regular updates on who declares from offices such as school committee to state representative to Congress will be updated on the Secretary of State's website. 

As conservatives seek to build on "Scott Brown momentum" in the Northeast, watchdogs should keep an eye on how many Republicans and Moderates file to take on incumbent Democrats in the solidly blue state of Rhode Island. 

In addition, before the filing period ends, on Monday, June 28 at 4:30pm, the Rhode Island Democratic Party will being their 2010 State Convention at the Providence Biltmore.  They will make formal endorsements for the following offices: General Treasurer; Attorney General; Secretary of State; Lt. Governor; 2nd Congressional District; 1st Congressional District; and Governor.  The event - which is open to the public - will have all interested candidates begin their speeches at 4:45pm with endorsed candidates speaking after 7:30pm. 

The expected Democratic endorsements are as follows:

·      General Treasurer - Gina Raimondo

·      Attorney General - Peter Kilmartin

·      Secretary of State - Ralph Mollis

·      Lt. Governor - Elizabeth Roberts

·      2nd Congressional District - Jim Langevin

·      1st Congressional District - David Cicilline

·      Governor - Frank Caprio

A couple of interesting points here.  First, who would have expected even a year ago that neither of the Lynch brothers - Patrick and Bill - would receive the Party's endorsement.  Second, who would have predicted such competitive primaries in every Democratic race excepting the Treasurer's race.  Finally, the most exciting part of the Democratic Convention will be who calls for a "roll call vote" putting State Committee members on the spot as to who they are supporting. 

This election, and this Convention, will be the first big test for new House Speaker Gordon Fox and his new Democratic Party chairman Ed Pacheco. How Monday night ends and who files to run by Wednesday at 4:00pm could very well determine whether the Party is headed in a new, stronger direction or into a tough, contentious election season.