Governor's Race: State Worker Donations Stir Controversy

Governor's Race: State Worker Donations Stir Controversy

Democrat Frank Caprio has received just over $20,000 from state workers in his run for governor, according to a GoLocalProv review of campaign finance records—sparking new accusations of back-room dealing and cronyism from his opponents.

The amount, at least $20,395, is far larger than what any other campaign has. Coming in second was Republican John Robitaille, with at least $8,830 from state employees. Independent Lincoln Chafee had the least of the three candidates who received such contributions—$3,565. Moderate Ken Block, meanwhile, had no contributions from state workers.

Chafee: Caprio is master of ‘Pay to Stay’

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The revelation has become the latest political football between the two frontrunners—Caprio and Chafee.

Chafee campaign manager J.R. Pagliarini said the donations are yet another distinction between Caprio and Chafee, saying the amount of the contributions “again demonstrates Mr. Caprio’s voracious appetite for campaign cash. Outside the State House he is a master of ‘Pay to Play.’ Inside the State House he is a master of ‘Pay to Stay.’”

“Seems to me like just another chapter in ‘Old Politics’ starring Frank Caprio,” Pagliarini added.

Caprio spokesman Nick Hemond suggested Chafee was being hypocritical. “This is another example of how Mr. Chafee wants to play by two different sets of rules, one for himself and one for everyone else,” Hemond said.

Hemond added: “Frank Caprio does not accept contributions from state employees under his supervision, unlike Mr. Chafee who took $55,000 from city workers whose jobs he held in his hands as mayor. Lincoln Chafee is trying to distract Rhode Islanders from the fact that he wants to raise taxes, while he owes back taxes.”

Candidate pledges to not accept donations

Block also slammed Caprio over the donations. “Frank Caprio can't seem to avoid even the appearance of impropriety,” Block said, noting that Caprio previously had to return $60,000 in donations from law firms seeking to do business with the General Treasurer’s office. “This is exactly the kind of atmosphere RI doesn’t need. It is not OK for state employees to feel as though they are beholden to a politician for their job.”

Donations from public employees to their current or future employers has been an issue at the city level, particularly in Providence. Mayor David Cicilline made a point of refusing such donations, as did Democratic primary winner Angel Taveras. However, it has not been as much of an issue in recent statewide campaigns, according to Joseph Fleming, a political analyst for Channel 12 and president of Fleming & Associates.

Federal employees not allowed to donate

Marie Sorman, president of Operation Clean Government, told GoLocalProv that the same concerns raised in Providence should be relevant to state races. “I don’t think state workers should donate to statewide candidates. It’s just wrong,” Sorman told GoLocalProv.

Block agreed. “Frank should have followed the lead of other Democratic candidates like Angel Taveras and David Cicilline who have both refused to take money from city employees and city vendors to avoid even the appearance of favoritism and back room deal making,” Block said. “I think Frank should return the money.”

Block also told GoLocalProv that he is pledging that he will not take money from state employees.

Sorman said she would like to see the state adopt the same rules in place for federal employees—which bar them from donating to the campaigns of their employers. (Click here to read a synopsis of the law, and here to read about an exception that was instituted for employees who want to donate to the re-election campaign of the President.)

Robitaille declined to comment.