The Scoop: Cianci, Elorza Endorsement Duel, URI Engineering Bond Kick Off, and More
GoLocalProv Politics Team
The Scoop: Cianci, Elorza Endorsement Duel, URI Engineering Bond Kick Off, and More
With the General Election now 40 days away, GoLocal is bringing you the daily campaign updates of note -- who's getting new endorsements, bringing in money, or making big, bold announcements, with all eyes on November 4.
In today's Scoop, Cianci and Elorza compete for high-profile endorsements, Mattiello recommends McNamara as Democratic Party Chairman, URI engineering bond kick off, and more.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Scoop-September 25, 2014
Elorza Picks Up More Endorsements
Democratic nominee for Mayor of Providence Jorge Elorza picked up several new endorsements. Five East Side legislators and one presumptive winner in the upcoming general election endorsed him. Senator Josh Miller, who represents Cranston but operates businesses in Providence, also joined in endorsing Elorza.
The new round of endorsements includes Miller, along with East Siders Representative Chris Blazejewski, Councilman Seth Yurdin, Councilman Sam Zurier, and Aaron Regunberg, the Democratic nominee for former House Speaker Gordon Fox’s seat.
Yurdin said, “Jorge Elorza will build on our strengths. He has detailed plans to support our neighborhoods, continue our drive to make Providence a more sustainable city, and to make sure City Hall is open, transparent, and accountable to all our residents.”
Elorza stated, “It’s an honor to work with these great public servants on our campaign, but what I’m really looking forward to is working with them as Mayor to truly achieve One Providence.”
Speaker Mattiello Recommends Rep. McNamara as Democratic Party Chairman
House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello has recommended that State Representative Joseph M. McNamara serve as the next chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party.
“Joe McNamara is a dedicated, well-spoken and hard-working member of our party who will do a terrific job as chairman,” said Speaker Mattiello. “He recently retired after a distinguished career as an educator and he will have the time and energy to devote to the party.”
Cianci Get School Employees' Endorsement
Independent candidate for Mayor of Providence Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. has been endorsed by Providence School Employees, Local 1339, RI Council 94, AFSCME, and AFL-CIO.
Cianci said, “It’s terrific to be endorsed by members of the city’s school department who engage in work so essential to supporting and promoting the education of the students in our public schools. Jo-Anne Micheletti, president of Local 1339, and all of the Local’s members, have my utmost thanks for choosing me as the candidate worthy of their endorsement.”
URI to Launch Campaign Seeking Passage of Bond Referendum for New Engineering Building
September 29 will mark the launch of the “Engineering Rhode Island’s Future” campaign in support of Question 4 on the ballot.
The approval of the $125 million referendum for higher education facilities will fund construction of a new URI engineering building. It will also accommodate a projected 18 percent increase in student enrollment for a college that has seen the number of undergraduates grow by about 39 percent over the last decade.
The 195,000-square-foot building will replace five existing engineering buildings on URI’s Kingston campus, all of which opened in the late 1950s and early 1960s. More than 4,000 URI engineering alumni live in Rhode Island and work at about 750 companies in the state. The College of Engineering contributes about $142 million to the Rhode Island economy each year, based on a 2013 economic impact study.
