Why Are So Many Gearing Up to Run Against Raimondo? See Who Could Run for RI Governor
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Why Are So Many Gearing Up to Run Against Raimondo? See Who Could Run for RI Governor
So despite her successes, why are her polling numbers anemic? Raimondo is saddled with a slew of controversies and embarrassments - tourism campaign chaos, ethical lapses, transparency issues, UHIP, DMV and on and on.
SLIDES: See Who Could be Running in RI in 2018 BELOW
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn July, Raimondo scored an approval rating of 43% in the ranking released by Morning Consult. Private polls show Raimondo’s negatives above 40 percent — a political danger zone for candidates.
“Bruce Rauner (R-Ill.) and Gina Raimondo (D-R.I.), two governors facing difficult paths to re-election next year, are also among the most unpopular governors. Almost half (47 percent) of Rhode Islanders said they disapprove of Raimondo while the share of voters approving of her job performance declined 5 points, to 43 percent,” wrote Morning Consult.
Meanwhile, the New York Times flagged Raimondo as one of the Democratic Governors who could be the among Democratic Presidential nominees in 2020. "As Party Drifts Left, Pragmatic Democratic Governors Have Eye on White House," wrote the New York Times' Jonathan Martin.
Now, more than a year before her re-election, a plethora of candidates are lining up to take on Raimondo. Three GOP candidates have said they are running.
The number of announced - and interested - candidates seems to be growing by the day. Those who are considering running may make this the most crowded race for Governor in Rhode Island in recent history — or even ever.
See Who Could Be Running for RI Gov? September, 2017
Democrat:
Gina Raimondo
Present Position: Governor
Previously: General Treasurer
Education: Harvard, Yale, Oxford
Positives: Robust fundraising. RI’s job numbers are at record level. Economic initiatives (big brands like GE and J&J, big incentives).
Negatives: Ethical problems (Ethics Commission Lally, former Chief of Staff and wife’s job, present Chief of Staff’s side business), UHIP, tourism and DMV failures, and the dogging perception that she cannot connect to Rhode Islanders.
Age: 46
Democrat
Lincoln Chafee
Present Position: none
Previous: Governor of RI
Education: Brown University
Positives: Honesty, strong financial manager, outspoken, family legacy, success in recovering 38 Studios monies
Negatives: Presidential run, Christmas Tree controversy, perception of chasing less important issue, i.e., pursuing the Metric System when running for President
Age: 64
Democrat
Peter Kilmartin
Present Position: Attorney General
Previous: State Representative
Education: Roger Williams University
Positives: Tough on crime position, experience in government, former police officer
Negatives: Handling of 38 Studios and failure to recuse himself, failure to protect employees and retirees of St. Joseph Health Services
Age: 55
Republican
Allan Fung
Present Position: Mayor of Cranston
Previous: City Council
Education: Rhode Island College and Suffolk University
Positives: Ran in 2014, Likability, Strong Pro-business record in Cranston
Negatives: Fundraising capabilities, Ticketgate
Age: 47
Republican
Patricia Morgan
Present Position: House Minority Leader
Previous: GOP Chair
Education: Mississippi State University, Providence College, Kent State University, Rhode Island College
Positives: Outspoken fiscal watchdog, respected on both sides of the aisle
Negatives: Not executive experience, questions about fundraising abilities
Age: 67
Republican
Joe Trillo
Present Position: Retired
Previous: State Representative
Education: Emerson College
Positives: Strong ties to Trump, tough, business experience, can self-fund
Negatives: Strong ties to Trump
Age: 74
Republican
Giovanni Feroce
Present Position: CEO BENRUS
Previous: State Senator
Education: University of RI, Wharton School of Business
Positives: Deep business experience, military service, previously ran for Lt. Governor
Negatives: Business in flux, numerous related lawsuits
Age: 49
Republican
Ken Block
Present Position: KenRick Golf Company
Previous: Candidate for GOP Nomination for Governor in 2014
Education: Dartmouth
Positives: Experienced in politics, Business experience, analytical
Negatives: Limited base in the GOP
Age: 51
Wild Cards
Anne Armstrong -- marijuana activist is considering running for Governor
In addition, the Libertarian Party and the Moderate Party could both have candidates in 2018.
