RI Campaign Update – Kilmartin Would Expand Public Corruption Unit
GoLocalProv Politics Team
RI Campaign Update – Kilmartin Would Expand Public Corruption Unit
Kilmartin tackles public corruption. Cicilline marks the 90th anniversary of the right to vote for women. State GOP targets Mollis…. and more from the campaign trail.
Democratic Attorney General candidate Peter Kilmartin yesterday said he would expand the public corruption unit if elected. He said the corruption unit under his leadership would conduct an audit of city and town contracts that have been awarded and create a phone and Internet “tip line” for residents to report leads on corruption.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Corruption has proven that it never sleeps in Rhode Island,” said Kilmartin. “We cannot continue down a path that adds to the cynicism about our elected officials. We must take action to restore public trust in our government and end the corruption that has plagued our state.”
David Segal Releases New Ad
Congressional candidate David Segal released a new ad yesterday highlighting his role in fighting for the enforcement of the First Source ordinance in Providence—and contesting claims by primary opponent David Cicilline that he implemented it. The ordinance requires that companies receiving a tax break from the city employ Providence residents. Click here to view the ad.
Cicilline yesterday released the following statement marking the 90th anniversary of the amendment that allows women to vote.
“On August 26, 1920, Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby officially certified the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and permanently enshrined the right for women to vote in American law,” Cicilline said. “Ninety years later, we celebrate this historical milestone today and recognize the achievements brought to bear through decades of struggle by countless women’s suffrage advocates. It is their commitment to demanding equality and effecting change that opened the door for later generations of women, from Eleanor Roosevelt to Shirley Chisholm to Hillary Clinton, all of whom have made incalculable contributions to the fabric of American society.”
The state GOP yesterday called on Secretary of State Ralph Mollis to remove “wildly exaggerated” claims about voter registration and business creation from his campaign Web site.
Mollis says he registered 700,000 voters and helped more than 21,800 businesses get started. But state GOP chairman Giovanni Cicione said that counts the total number of registered voters—most of whom who were already on the rolls before Mollis was elected. He said the number of new businesses was misleading too, since it only reflected the number of businesses that incorporate in the state.
“Only a career politician would try to take credit for helping 21,800 businesses get started in the state when we are in the midst of an economic downturn with record unemployment,” Cicione said. “And only someone with no real record of accomplishment would try to take credit for registering every voter in the state. It’s an insult to the local officials and grassroots organizations which have worked hard for many years to register voters in Rhode Island.”
“What’s next for Secretary Mollis?” Cicione added. “Taking credit for inventing the Internet? Seeking recognition for tying his shoes?”
Chafee Hires Two New Advisors
Independent candidate for governor Lincoln Chafee has hired two new key advisors. Retired District Court Judge Stephen Erickson will serve as Senior Legal Advisor and Jonathan Stevens, a former member of Chafee’s Senate staff, will be the Director of Policy.
“I am very excited and grateful to have these two exceptionally qualified individuals join my campaign,” Chafee said. “Judge Erickson and Jon Stevens both bring a wide range of experience, knowledge and expertise that will prove invaluable to my efforts to become Rhode Island’s next Governor.”