RI Campaign Update - Chafee Gets Two Big Union Endorsements

RI Campaign Update - Chafee Gets Two Big Union Endorsements

Chafee wins two big union endorsements. State Democrats say Republicans are playing games with their voters. AG candidates on DUIs. … and more from the campaign trail.

SEIU, UNAP Endorse Chafee for Governor

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Two major unions—the Service Employees International Union State Committee and the United Nurses & Allied Professionals—will endorse independent Lincoln Chafee for governor today, his campaign announced Sunday. The endorsements will be announced at two separate events:

SEIU Endorsement
Where: the home of Alda Bonin, 36 Kingsford Ave., Riverside
When: Monday, September 20, 11:00 a.m.

UNAP Endorsement
Where: RI Convention Center, 5th floor, 1 Sabin St., Providence
When: Monday, September 20, 3:30 p.m.

Democrats Question GOP Commitment to Voters

State Democrats say Republicans are playing games with their voters after their candidate for lieutenant governor, Heidi Rogers, dropped out of the race just days after the primary and endorsed third-party candidate Bob Healey for the office.

“The Rhode Island Republican Party is playing games with their voters. What does it say about the GOP – and the individuals they seek to run for office – when they lead voters to believe they are dedicated to the general election, all the while having the full intent of bargaining the seat away after the primary?” said Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco.

“To the Ocean State’s GOP voters and supporters, I say: you were duped. The Rhode Island GOP put strategy and gimmicks over transparency and honesty with the voters and again displayed a lack of respect and seriousness to the electoral process,” Pacheco added.

Healey, the founder of the Cool Moose Party, has promised not to spend any of the $1 million annual budget slated for the office—and work toward eventually eliminating what he says is a useless appendage to state government.

Pacheco defended the importance of the office, noting that the lieutenant governor is just a “heartbeat” away from being the governor. He said the lieutenant governor has the opportunity to “further initiatives beneficial to all Rhode Islanders.”

"That individual needs to be a dedicated leader who understands Rhode Island families and the challenges small businesses face. Elizabeth Roberts has been that leader and she will continue to build on the foundation she has worked hard to create,” Pacheco said.

AG Candidates Out on Drunk Driving

Two candidates for Attorney General—Democrat Peter Kilmartin and Moderate Chris Little—called for the increased use of ignition interlock devices to prevent drunk driving. Kilmartin specifically proposed a law requiring anybody convicted of a DUI to have the devices.

Little criticized his opponent for not taking action earlier. He said the Legislature has to “unravel complex drunk-driving laws” that make it easier for those accused of DUIs to refuse a breath test and get off. “An example of such legislative inaction is that one of my opponents in this race has been in leadership in the Legislature and yet these problems have not been solved on his watch,” Little said.

Kilmartin also proposed a law banning non-hands-free devices in cars.

“As a police officer for 24 years, as well as a current attorney and lawmaker, I know first-hand the danger that reckless driving poses to the safety of our roads,” Kilmartin said. “In fact, early on in my police career I was nearly struck by a driver using a cell phone. I listened to many similar stories and sponsored the law that prohibits texting while driving. Because of my strong law enforcement background and proven record of leadership, I am best equipped to keep our roads safe as our next Attorney General.”

Little Releases Campaign Ad

Chris Little, the Moderate Party candidate for Attorney General, is releasing his television commercials on Monday. The commercials will tout him as the only candidate with the qualifications and commitment to do the job. They will focus on his plans to protect the state from crime, public corruption, and the “bad guys” in the board room, according to his campaign.