Who's Your Daddy: Former Dem Chair Lynch's "Daddy Bell, Baby Bell" Comments Draw Rebuke
GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle
Who's Your Daddy: Former Dem Chair Lynch's "Daddy Bell, Baby Bell" Comments Draw Rebuke
Comments made by former Rhode Island Democratic Party Chair Bill Lynch, that Rhode Island Republican Party Chair Brandon Bell and Progressive Democrat State Coordinator Sam Bell were working together, drew veiled bemusement by one, and a call for an apology from the other.
Following Tuesday's primary results in Rhode Island, Lynch said, “I always got a kick when Republicans get happy with one Democrat beating another Democrat. And Baby Bell and Daddy Bell working together, of course,” said Lynch, of the Progressive Democrats’ Bell - and the Republicans’ Bell.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGOP Bell tweeted the following, following Republican Steve Frias' primary victory to square off against Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello in his Cranston district in November.
"Daddy Bell" is amused! Notice to Special Advisor/Comedian Lynch: Spkr has 55 days until his forced retirement," Tweeted Bell.
"Look, I've got a lot of respect for Bill, I don't think Calamari McNamara has done that much," Bell told GoLocalProv.com of the former party chair, versus the current interim chair, Rep. Joe McNamara. "I've told Bill he did a great job as chair. He's a spin master."
"But going backwards is not the way for Democrats. They need to move forward," quipped Bell, of working to unseat Mattiello in November.
Progressives' Bell Not Amused
"I think it's instructive to compare how the Rhode Island Democratic party operates and I think it's worth noting - the current Democratic State Committee has yet to elect a chair, as [Current Chair] McNamara is acting in an interim role," said Bell.
"Compare the Rhode Island Democratic party officials to the national ones -- compare Lynch and McNamara to Wasserman Schultz," said Bell. "She was panned for showing favoritism in the primary, even from the Hillary camp -- who thought it wasn't fair."
"I don't think the state's top party officials should insulting the progressive side of the party. That [Lynch] thinks its appropriate to see the progressives as hostile and indifferent to the party is shocking," said Bell. "I call on Lynch to withdraw those comments."
"The Rhode Island machine suffered its biggest rebuke in a long time on Tuesday. The goal should be to advocate for Democrats against Republicans. Joe [McNamara] has not been as bad about this as he could be. He's been on the record saying he supports the progressives, and he said he does view the Democratic party as compatible with progressivism," said Bell.
"Bill Lynch's comments stepped over the line and seemed deeply inappropriate and I call on him to withdraw his comments," reiterated Bell. "The progressive movement is an important part of the party, and implying that progressives are somehow a secret ally with Republicans in preposterous. Saying somehow I'm related to Brandon Bell (which I'm not) is one thing, but Lynch's comments show a move away from the measured tone Joe [McNamara] had been taking, and taking it to a level of insult politics. I hope that Lynch reaches out and apologizes."
2016 Primaries -- Winners and Losers
Speaker Solid Night
Holding Serve for Mattiello
In a year with controversies swarming around Gallison and Carnevale, the Speaker held off challengers to more than ten of his supporters, but lost three races.
House Majority Leader John DeSimone, Jan Malik and Eileen Naughton all were long-time House members and all were knocked off. Overall, the night was a solid night for Mattiello.
Progressives
Score Some Upsets
Sam Bell's efforts to restructure the legislature with a slate of Progressive candidates scored some, repeat some high profile upset wins, but overall did not add big numbers. The Progressive can score four high profile challenger wins, but lost in eight other races.
The big wins were Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Moira Walsh, Jason Knight, and Jeannie Calkin.
Morgan Takes a Hit
Morgan's Lawton Gets Beat Badly
Shawna Lawton was Rep. Patricia Morgan's candidate and was suppose to give Steve Frias a battle in the 15th District. But, in the end Frias beat Lawton 80% to 20% -- a proverbial beat down.
For Morgan who seeks to be the House Minority Leader succeeding Brian Newberry the Lawton performance is a significant setback.
Williams Beats Developer
Controversial Williams Wins
In maybe the most toxic race was the battle between long-time and embattled State Rep. Anastasia Williams and controversial developer Michael Gazdacko. Williams is tied to a number of ethical issues and the demise of the John Hope Settlement House.
Rhode Island State Representative challenger Michael Gazdacko has been working with Lance Robbins for more than a decade starting in California, where Robbins garnered the reputation as one of the most infamous "slumlords" in the country.
Serpa Wins
House Oversight Chair Wins
In House District 27, Pat Serpa, the new chair of the House Oversight Committee fought off a solid challenge and gave a solid win for the leadership.
Patricia A. Serpa 454 55.1%
Nicholas E. Delmenico 370 44.9%
Pichardo is Out
Pichardo Beat
Juan Pichardo, the controversial state senator who came under fire for his dual as chair of the Board of Licenses is out.
Senate District 2 turned into an upset. Pichardo was heavily criticized for making political decisions as Chair of Licensing, Ana Quezada was focused going door-to-door in the district.
Ana B. Quezada 1,157 52.2%
Juan M. Pichardo 1,060 47.8%
Warwick Senate Upset
Calkin Winner - Bernie Legacy
One of the biggest upsets of the night -- la ong-time Warwick Senator went down in Senate District 30 in the Democratic primary
Jeanine Calkin 1,090 51.8%
William A. Walaska* 1,015 48.2%
Calkin said, "For a first time candidate like me, who is motivated to keep the political revolution alive, it is so important to have the support of a Working Families Party."
Frias Beats Lawton
Frias Winner - Sets Up Race With Speaker
Steve Frias crushed Shawna Lawton which sets up a battle between Frias and Speaker Nick Mattiello in November.
This was a win for GOP Chair Brandon Bell, who was all in on Frias, and passed on recruiting significant challengers for Congress to focus on District 15.
This could be a mega-battle in November.
Ciccone Holds Serve
Ciccone Winner - Holds Off Progressive
Senate District 7 was a battle between the old guard and the progressives and Ciccone held off DeLos Santos in the Democratic primary.
Frank A. Ciccone, III* 1,109 54.6%
Doris Mayleni De Los Santos 922 45.4%
DeSimone Goes Down
Ranglin Winner - Biggest Upset of the Night
House Majority Leader John DeSimone appears to have been defeated. DeSimone's opponent Marcia Ranglin is claiming victory -- an epic win for the Providence School teacher. The vote in House District 5 was a surpise.
Marcia Ranglin-Vassell 611 51.1%
John J. DeSimone 584 48.9%
Tanzi Beats Two Back
Tanzi Fights Off Two
District 34 Representative and sometimes lightning rod Teresa Tanzi has beaten two challengers - Tanzi captured nearly 63% of the vote.
Representative in General Assembly District 34 (View votes statewide)
Teresa Tanzi* 977 51.3%
Ewa M. Dzwierzynski 469 24.6%
Rachel Clough 458 24.1%
