The 15 Most Competitive RI General Assembly Races of 2014
GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle
The 15 Most Competitive RI General Assembly Races of 2014
SLIDES: See 15 Most Competitive GA Races BELOW
"There are only two ways to run -- run unopposed, or run scared," said State Senator Louis DiPalma, the incumbent Democrat in District 12. "I can't take credit for that line, mind you, but what it means is that you have to go all in, or you shouldn't go at all."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn July, GoLocal took a look at some of the pivotal primary contests -- and those who awaited the winner of the preliminary voting round before facing their final challenger come November.
Parties Take Stock
"This year our strategy was to field strong candidates in winnable races versus the traditional failed plan of finding a name to run in every trace, regardless of the competitiveness of the candidate," said Rhode Island Republican Party Executive Director Robert Paquin III. "This has allowed us the opportunity to put tens of thousands of dollars into those races directly, in-kind, and in support to our candidates."
Paquin noted a number of races where he thought the Republicans could prevail in 2014.
"Mike Smith may pull off an Ed O'Neill-esque oust of the Senate President. Having exposed Senator Paiva Weed for flip flopping on the casino issue and her deep ties to Paolino, Smith has successfully rallied a Newport electorate strongly against changes to Newport Grand," said Paquin. "Daniel Reilly looks good to make a comeback to the Legislature. Expect him to reclaim his seat from Rep. Finn in a close race."
"Democrat Nick Denice running against Republican Patricia Morgan in Warwick/West Warwick/Coventry one might call competitive based on the fact that it's a rematch and it was pretty close last time -- 52% to 48%," said Gray.
Gray looked to the past as a predictor -- and reason -- for highlighting a close contest that was pegged by Republican Paquin.
"Then again, if you're going to use past contests as a measure of competitiveness, there is probably no closer [General Assembly] race than Linda Finn versus Dan Reilly, where Finn won by 100 votes," said Gray.
Key Battlegrounds
"Hodgson's seat's open, Bates is open," said DiPalma of the Republican Attorney General candidate -- and retiring Senate Minority Whip. "It happens those were two of the five held by Republicans."
Republican Paquin, however, said he saw a chance for opportunity this election season.
"The Democrats are splintered with 3 Chairmen in as many months, investigations into Fox and Palumbo, and progressives and liberals at each others throats - this will be a positive year for the Republicans and a great building block toward 2016," said Paquin.
15 Legislative Races to Watch in 2014
#1
South County Show Down
House District 34
Teresa Tanzi (D)
Stephen Tetzner (R)
South County Republican businessman Stephen Tetzner (who founded Homestar Mortgage) is looking to unseat two-term Democratic incumbent Teresa Tanzi. Tanzi sponsored legislation in 2012 to address the state's "good time" laws, in order to prevent criminals convicted of serious offenses from being released earlier because of good behavior. Tetzner, the small-business, pro-gun rights, anti-Deepwater Wind advocate is being dubbed a formidable opponent to Tanzi.
Pictured: Teresa Tanzi
#2
Domestic Abuse the Focus
House District 32
Robert Craven (D)
Sharon Gamba (R)
Democrat Craven, who was first elected to the seat in 2012, faces Republican Sharon Gamba, who was tapped by the national Republican State Leadership Committee as one of 14 "Right Women, Right Now" for 2014. Craven, who co-sponsored legislation in 2014 to eliminate the master lever, was recently found to have expunged two domestic violence charges and was the subject of a lawsuit which he said was "tried and dismissed." Gamba, a business owner (Cranston Collision Center), is being touted by the state's GOP as one of the top prospects to win in 2014.
Pictured: Bob Craven
#3
Pension Reform
House - District 26
Patricia Morgan (R)
Nick Denice (D)
Democratic attorney and West Warwick native Nick Denice is challenging Republican Patricia Morgan, who has held the seat since 2014. Denice chaired the West Warwick Pension Board that orchestrated a five year plan to save the city $6.3 million; Deputy Minority leader Morgan was previously the Chair of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
Picture: Patricial Morgan
#4
Rematch Battle
House District 72
Linda Dill Finn (D)
Daniel Patrick Reilly (R)
The Middletown-Portsmouth district should prove to see a close race between one-term incumbent Democrat Linda Finn and previous State Representative, Republican Dan Reilly. Reilly, who had been a staunch opponent to Sakonnet bridge tolls, is looking to defeat Finn, who counts the passage of the RI Broadband Advisory Committee as her chief legislative accomplishment.
Pictured: Linda Dill Finn
#5
Wizard Brawl
Senate District 9
Adam Satchell (D)
Michael Pinga (I)
Incumbent Satchell, a one-term Democrat, is squaring off once against former Democratic State Representative (turned Independent) Michael Pinga. Satchel defeated Pinga in the 2012 Democratic primary 58% to 42%. Satchell co-sponsored legislation to place a three year moratorium on using NECAP tests as a graduation requirement.
Pictured: Adam Satchell
#6
Speaker's Sight
House District 41
Michael Marcello (D)
Lillian Jean Delmonico (R)
Marcello, who was first elected to the House in 2008, mounted a challenge to now-Speaker Nicholas Mattiello to replace the chamber's top seat when former Speaker Gordon Fox stepped down. The Scituate district was previously Republican when Carol Mumford held the seat for ten years prior to Marcello, a distinction Scituate School Committee member Delmonico will look to capitalize on come November 4.
Pictured: Michael Marcello
#7
Big GOP Target
House District 28
Scott Guthrie (D)
Robert Nardolillo (R)
Deputy Majority Leader Guthrie, who first served in the General Assembly in 2001 and 2002 before being reelected in 2008, is facing Republican challenger Robert "Bobby" Nardolillo. Guthrie, who authored legislation to address the beleaguered Coventry Fire District, will have a strong contest against his opponent of Nardolillo Funeral Home name recognition.
Pictured: Scott Guthrie
#8
Beach Blanket Bingo
House District 16
Peter Palumbo (D)
Robert Lancia (R)
Long-time Democratic State Representative first elected in 1994, Palumbo took a huge hit this year when he came under public scrutiny -- and an ethics investigation -- amidst a state beach contract controversy that saw former Democratic Party Chair David Caprio step down amidst questions of ethical conduct. Republican Lancia ran unsuccessfully for State Senate in 2012, but will look to capitalize on the opportunity presented in this year's race.
Pictured: Peter Palumbo
#9
New Face v. Democrat Experience
House District 35
Kathleen Fogarty (D)
Lacey McGreevy (R)
Fogarty is the former President of the South Kingstown Town Council. McGreevy is a new comer and is focused on improving the business climate in RI.
McGreevey says, "High taxes and over-regulation are some of the biggest job killers in Rhode Island. When elected I will do everything in my power to vote for smart common sense laws designed to grow Rhode Islands economy."
Pictured: Lacey McGreevy
#10
Canario Faces a Strong Iraq Veteran
House District 71
Dennis Canario (D)
Norbert Rattay (R)
Canrio is a House Dem true and true - 65% score from Common Cause and a strong supporter of increasing the minimum wage.
In contract, Rattay is a retired Colonel in the United State Air Force Reserves. He had two deployments in Iraq.
Pictured: Dennis Canario
#11
Battle in Westerly
House District 37
Samuel Azzinaro (D)
Caswell Cooke (R)
The district has a rich history of GOP support. Cooke is formidable - 6 time member of the Town Council has a strong base.
Azzinaro looks for support from the Democratic party to hold the seat.
Pictured: Caswell Cooke
#12
Seat for the Taking
Senate District 32
Giovanni Cicione (R)
Cynthia "Cindy" Coyne (D)
The race for retiring Republican Senator David Bates' seat -- who was first elected to the General Assembly in 1992 -- is proving to be a heated one between former state Republican Party Chair Giovanni Cicionne, and Democrat Cynthia "Cindy" Coyne, a retired State Police Lieutenant and Barrington Town Council member.
Pictured: Giovani Cicione
#13
Providence Battleground
House District 12
Joseph Almeida (D)
Luis Vargas (I)
Deputy Majority Whip Almeida served in the house from 1999 to 2010, then was reelected in 2012 -- and now faces a general election challenge in the way of Independent Luis Vargas, who came to Rhode Island from Puerto Rico at the age of 2, ultimately graduating from Roger Williams University with a dual degree in political science and legal studies.
Pictured: Joe Almeida
#15
Top Tier Ticket
Senate District 13
M. Teresa Paiva-Weed (D)
Mike Smith (R)
Perhaps the race with the biggest ramifications for the future of the General Assembly is that between Democratic Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed and Republican challenger Mike Smith. The Newport contest - which is already a battleground for the vote on the Newport Grand table games referendum -- would have major implications for the 2015 General Assembly if Smith were to prevail.
Pictured: Senate President Paiva Weed
