Ten Emerging Stars in RI Out of the 2016 Election

1)

Steve Frias -- Should he have run against Jim Langevin rather than against Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello?

Yes, he lost. He took on the proverbial king. Frias ran a tough race against Mattiello and lost by less than 100 votes. 

Did he run for the wrong office? Looking at the Trump numbers and how they overlay the 2nd Congressional District, it might it have been easier and smarter for Frias to take on Langevin. 

In a Trump Administration, could Frias replace Peter Neronha as U.S. Attorney? Could he run state-wide? Could he run for Congress?

2)

Sandra Cano -- She received the most votes of those running for the at-large City Council seat. She received 13,260 — just two thousand less votes than Mayor Don Grebien received in Pawtucket. 

Currently, she is the Assistant Vice-President of Business and Community Development at Navigant Credit Union.

Previously, she served as Operations Coordinator at the Providence After- School Alliance (PASA).

Cano has a growing resume with achievement in non-profit work, business, and government.

3)

Luis Vargas -- If the Rhode Island GOP could design the perfect candidate to build a party around, it very well might be Luis Vargas. The young Latino man gave Rep. Joe Almeida a bruising race.

Vargas is smart, likable and very hard working. He championed improving education — with specifics — and spoke to issues of transparency. He was one of the few candidates whose campaign website was bi-lingual. He garnered 47% of the vote as an Independent in Rhode Island, after having worked in the GOP party in prior years. 

Watch for Vargas to emerge as a leader in Rhode Island -- whether it is in the GOP, if the party is smart -- or as an independent. 

4)

Jeff Britt -- The most powerful politician in Rhode Island lost on the machines, but won the race for re-election and knew he was going to win. He knew he would win because six-months earlier he tapped Jeff Britt to help run a number of aspects of his re-election campaign.

In previous elections Britt was on the side of the underdog.

In 2002, Bruce Bayuk ran a spirited write in campaign against then-Speaker John Harwood.

Harwood defeated Bayuk by 291 votes, according to revised figures from the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers. In 2012, Britt ran storyteller Mark Binder against Gordon Fox and almost pulled one of the greatest upsets in RI history.

Now, Britt will be the most in demand political consultant in RI.

5)

James Diossa -- The Central Falls Mayor had another sweeping victory, garnering more than 88% of the vote. Diossa is now poised to take on the next challenge.

He has taken one of the most downtrodden communities in Rhode Island (maybe the country) and given it hope and purpose.

Recently, he has help cut a lot of new business openings in Central Falls - and hosts celebrity events with the likes of Viola Davis.

Does he run for Lt. Governor in 2018? 

6)

Marcia Ranglin-Vassell -- She beat House Majority Leader John DeSimone not once but twice and the second time like a drum. Progressives claim her as their biggest win, but Ranglin may surprise many on some key social issue votes.

She may be an economic progressive, but she is a little more conservative on some social issues.

Regardless, she is a star in the making --  look for her to emerge in the House as a leading female voice.

7)

Ray Mathieu -- Here is the candidate that is Seth Magaziner's worst nightmare. Mathieu was Chief Financial Officer for Providence Equity and has been a leading mentor in the startup community in Rhode Island. 

For Democratic retirees in RI -- would you rather have Magaziner or Mathieu managing your money?

Here is a successful business person putting his money where his mouth is.

In 2016, he took on a near impossible challenge. Running against Democrat Eddie Ajello on the East Side of Providence might be the most difficult race for a challenger to run in RI.

8)

Melissa Murray -- The Woonsocket City Council member was the top voter getter. The city is usually fairly conservative -- Trump received 43% of the vote.

There were 14 candidates seeking 7 council positions and she finished tops. Whether she is helping to running graffiti clean-ups, promoting efforts to fight opioid abuse or promoting recreation programs, Murray is involved.

Is she the next Mayor of Woonsocket?

9)

Bob Quattrocchi -- He beat Michael Marcello for House District 41 (Scituate/Cranston). It was just three years ago that Marcello lost a close battle for Speaker of the House to Nick Mattiello. Now, he is out.

Quattrocchi was the GOP's biggest win in RI in 2016.

Quattrocchi is a forth generation Rhode Islander who has lived in Scituate for 48 years.

He is a graduate of Scituate High School and a certified graduate of the American Motorcycle Institute. He has owned two small businesses in RI, Quatro Bros. Concrete finishing and Quatro Motorcycle Co.

10)

Elizabeth Warren -- She may not be in RI, but she might be the Democrats best chance to win the White House or at least be relevant.

The Clintons are done and Bernie Sanders may just be too old. Rhode Island's next door neighbor may be the toughest and most inspiring leader for the Democrats -- can you name anyone better right now?