NEW: Dennis, DeRobbio Endorse Witman for Mayor of Providence

GoLocalProv Political Team

NEW: Dennis, DeRobbio Endorse Witman for Mayor of Providence

Kobi Dennis
Kobi Dennis and Bob DeRobbio are endorsing Dee Dee Witman for Mayor of Providence.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Kobi Dennis and Bob DeRobbio! I am also pleased to announce that Kobi Dennis and Kenneth Dulgarian will serve as Witman for Mayor campaign honorary co-chairs. I look forward to working with Kobi, Bob, and Ken to build a better Providence,” said Witman in a tweet on Monday.

Both Dennis and DeRobbio ran against Elorza in the Democratic primary earlier this month. 

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Witman's Campaign 

Witman is running as an independent and will face Elorza in the November election. 

She originally announced her run for Mayor back in June after previously serving as the chief fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung. 

Witman has been a political fundraiser from a range of primarily Democratic candidates for office. In 2014, she fundraised for the failed campaign for the late Vincent “Buddy” Cianci.

She has never held or run for office in the past.

Witman Blasts Elorza 

Most recently, Witman has been highly critical of Mayor Jorge Elorza over his "lack of leadership" on the Providence school bus drivers strike. 

"How can a Mayor whose job it is to lead this city not want to take a position to resolve this issue?" said Witman.

"I do know 20,000 kids, and parents, when there's a strike have no contingency plan because this Mayor has failed to show leadership," she added.

Witman went on to criticize Elorza's inability to make decisions, "The school teachers [labor unrest], the bus drivers -- the Fane Tower -- the only thing he seems to be adamant about is his selling the water supply. He's asking the people of Providence to come up with answers. He's a one trick pony. It's shocking -- that's he's staying neutral. Kids need to go to school. Parents need to go to work -- what are the teachers going to do?"

"Isn't this what a Mayor does? If these negotiations were going on, don't you think he'd pick up the phone? OK -- so he's got some breathing room to Monday. At least tomorrow they're in school.

I want to run, I want to win, and to do my best -- I find his behavior and affect astounding -- Providence appears rudderless with no one at the helm. It's shocking ... and there should be a contingency plan in place," said Witman. 


GoLocal Statewide Poll - Conducted by Harvard's Della Volpe - June, 2018

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