GOP Senate Leader Kettle Being Investigated By RI State Police

GoLocalProv News Team

GOP Senate Leader Kettle Being Investigated By RI State Police

Senator Nick Kettle
Coventry State Senator Nick Kettle and Minority Whip is the subject of an “active investigation” by the Rhode Island State Police.

Kettle is the number two ranking Republican in the Senate. Kettle has not responded to requests for comment.

He serves on the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture, Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Rules, Government Ethics & Oversight.

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Lt. Colonel Joseph Philbin would not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.

According to his official bio, “ He is a member of the Coventry/West Greenwich Elks lodge and of the Sons of Italy Vince Lombardi Lodge.  A former member of Boy Scout Troop 39, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and earned membership in the Order of the Arrow.  The Senator is a strong supporter of many local charities, food banks and other community organizations. He has practiced Uechi-Ryu Karate for more than 15 years and has a 3rd degree black belt.”

In 2016, GoLocal reported that he had promised in 2010 that he would only run for two terms -- and is now running for a fourth.

In 2010, when Kettle first ran, a look back at his website from that time shows that he had promised to only stay for two terms

I myself am going to hold myself to term limit of only two terms. I believe we have a current crisis at the State House from politicians being elected over and over. I would also propose a Constitutional amendment creating term limits for legislators.

Kettle on Breaking Promise

"Well, I respect Doreen and I am a supporter of term limits, I treat every term like its my last term, I just feel that I have a little left in me to fight the good fight and work every day for the District of 21," said Kettle. "If they don't want me, it is what it is."

Kettle mentioned that he is the co-sponsor of term limit legislation with Senator Ed O'Neill, which he said is for "four terms" maximum.  O'Neill announced this year he will not be seeking reelection. 

Will Kettle step aside after next year then? 

"We'll see, I've got to win this race first," said Kettle.  Kettle faces Progressive Democrat Margaux Morrisseau for the District 21 seat. 

And why he broke his campaign pledge?

"People change their mind on issues all the time," said Kettle. 


GoLocal: Benchmark Poll, October 2017

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