Endorsement-mania — Political Endorsements Are Flying in RI

Endorsement-mania — Political Endorsements Are Flying in RI

Between the early jockeying for the 2022 governor’s race and the special election for the vacant State Senate race in District 3, the political endorsements are flying in Rhode Island. From politicians to unions the wheeling and dealing has officially begun.

Newly announced Democratic candidate for governor Seth Magaziner on Friday unveiled endorsements by seven legislators as well as some other elected and appointed individuals. Of the legislators, five of the seven are women. The announcement seemed to be strategic to isolate fellow gubernatorial candidate Nellie Gorbea.

When the Gorbea campaign was asked if they saw Magaziner's early support from some woman legislators as an issue, they responded that they will have their own endorsements to announce.

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“Secretary Gorbea is excited by the support she is receiving every day from Rhode Islanders as she visits communities throughout the state. There are a number of elected leaders from a variety of communities who have pledged their support, this list is constantly growing. We will make it public at a later date," said Jen Burton, a Washington, D.C. consultant and the spokesperson for her campaign.

"Voters pay attention to some endorsements and ignore others. Endorsements by business groups, labor unions, party committees, or wealthy donors often bring financial resources, volunteers, and visibility, and can help candidates in close races," said Dr. Tony Affigne, Professor of Political Science at Providence College.

"Other endorsements by elected officials or advocacy groups signal approval by influential leaders, and can turn individuals or entire political organizations in a candidate’s direction," said Affigne.

Affigne adds, "On the other hand, some endorsements are half-hearted, 'lesser of two evils' statements, or are made by groups with small memberships and few resources. Endorsements like that have limited impact, although even these can sometimes fill out a candidate’s political resumé and confer at least limited bragging rights."

 

In Senate District 3, Special Election Endorsements Are Choking Social Media

Former Providence City Councilman Sam Zurier, one of the five Democrats running for the vacant District 3 State Senate seat, has received endorsements from long-time East Side State Representative and progressive stalwart Edith Ajello as well as his successor on the Providence City Council Helen Anthony, a defund the police advocate.

The candidates running on the Democratic side are, in addition to Zurier, Bret Jacob, Hilary Levey Friedman, Geena Pham, and Ray Rickman.

Ajello wrote in her endorsement of Zurier, "Here, I don’t think it is a close call. One candidate stands out. Sam Zurier brings a proven track record as a community advocate, school board member and city councilman of forging solutions to tough challenges. Whether that was helping to lead the fight to re-open and upgrade the Nathan Bishop School, or as a key Council leader devising reforms and cost-savings to get us through the Category 5 fiscal hurricane to name 2 of many possible examples, we could always count on Sam to come through."

Hilary Levy Friedman has been endorsed by many of the Democratic party machine groups including the AFL-CIO and the Providence Firefighters' union.

"Few candidates would be happy receiving no endorsements at all, as that would signal a lack of support beyond their own campaign organizations, and give an appearance of weakness," said Affigne. "In short, candidates seek out endorsements for a reason, and while their impact varies, endorsements play a central role in nearly every political campaign."

With two and a half weeks left in the campaign, it is unclear if the endorsement of a local politician means more than a statewide labor group.  On October 5th, election day in the special election we will know more.