10/05/2008

Mark Patinkin: It’s OK to ask tough questions, but they must be fair
Sarah Palin has got me thinking about how journalists are acting these days.

10/04/2008

Recounts uphold General Assembly primary victories — but the contests aren’t over yet
State Senate victories by Michael J. Pinga and Erin C. Lynch are reaffirmed by the Board of Elections, but the state Supreme Court may have its say.

10/03/2008

An Ivy League view of the vice presidential debate
A small number of McCain supporters joined a pro-Obama crowd at Brown University to watch last night’s forum.

State Supreme Court orders recount in disputed West Warwick primary race between Michael Pinga and state Sen. Stephen D. Alves
PROVIDENCE — The Supreme Court yesterday ordered the state Board of Elections to recount all ballots cast in the disputed West Warwick Democratic primary race in which political newcomer Michael Pinga defeated state Sen. Stephen D. Alves.

Watchdog groups: Tell R.I. voter where to cast ballots
More than 80 polling stations have been closed since 2004 and some are concerned that voters may not be aware if their polling site has moved.

Candidate forums set for 3 nights this month
Voters will have an opportunity to hear candidates for local and Assembly contests in South County.

10/02/2008

West Warwick Campaign Journal
Gosselin opens campaign

R.I. Supreme Court puts primary contests on hold
The state Supreme Court yesterday ordered the Board of Elections to recount all ballots in the Senate District 31 race that so far has Erin B. Lynch besting David A. Bennett by a narrow margin.

East Providence candidates will square off in debate
EAST PROVIDENCE — Residents will have three chances to meet, question, listen to and evaluate the local candidates running for state and city offices next month.

10/01/2008

Their political missions span the Bay
Newcomer Donna Perry, a Republican from Jamestown, challenges Sen. Teresa Paiva Weed, of Newport, for her District 13 seat.

Saturday is deadline to register to vote
Saturday is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 general election.

Another hearing on Alves election
The state Board of Elections reverses itself and decides to hold a hearing about two contested elections.

09/30/2008

East Providence political signs point the way to Nov. 4
The Canvassing Authority negotiates a winding road when it considers the locations of signs for candidates.

News commentator Dick Morris critical of GOP nominee McCain
The Fox News analyst appears in Westerly to help Republican Mark Zaccaria raise money.

09/28/2008

Campaign Journal
It’s unclear whether Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy will agree to debate his Republican opponent Jonathan Scott in the contest for Rhode Island’s first congressional district seat.

09/27/2008

Hundreds turn out for post-debate forum at RIC
Hundreds participate in a Debatewatch program to parse the details of last night’s presidential face-off.

09/26/2008

Obama’s lead shrinks in poll of R.I. voters
The Democratic presidential candidate’s 28-point lead over Republican John McCain has been cut in half.

09/25/2008

Alves asks Supreme Court for new election
The longtime state senator says there were questionable votes in the primary election, which he narrowly lost to Michael Pinga.

09/23/2008

DeVall promises to focus on what is best for all
Senate District 18 candidate Frank DeVall says he wants to present “just the facts” without any “attacks.”

Do primary day glitches foretell an Election Day mess?
The head of the Board of Elections says there were no more problems on Sept. 9 than usual; others worry that those small glitches could be a major headache in a high-turnout election.

Campaign briefs
Calci deplores feud with schools over money

09/19/2008

Senate primary candidate says West Warwick sign ordinance violated his rights
The Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union says there may be merit in the primary candidate’s complaint.

East Providence Senate candidate says she’s the real ‘new face’
Senate District 18 candidate Lynn (Mello) Vargas tells residents not to be fooled by her opponent’s claim that he is a “new face” in politics for East Providence.

09/18/2008

Elections board certifies winner in Warwick Democratic primary for Senate
PROVIDENCE — The state Board of Elections yesterday unanimously certified Erin P. Lynch’s victory in last week’s Democratic primary for the District 31 Senate seat in Warwick and rejected a request by her rival, David Bennett, for a new election.

Pinga ousts Alves, wins Senate seat / Video
The Board of Elections certifies the victory after considering the incumbent’s request for a review of primary voting.

09/17/2008

Biden, Clinton plan Rhode Island visits
Sen. Joseph Biden will be coming to Rhode Island on Sept. 25 to raise money for Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in the state this Friday, party and campaign officials said yesterday.

Pawtucket mayoral candidates Doyle, Grebien debate the details
PAWTUCKET — The financial future of the city was on the line last night as Democrat Mayor James E. Doyle and his opponent, the independent City Councilor Donald R. Grebien, each made their case for being a proponent of change in uncertain times during a spirited debate on a local TV talk show.

09/16/2008

Pinga keeps lead; Alves files protest
The West Warwick senator asks for a new primary election, claiming discrepancies.

Board finds Giammarco victor in council primary
PROVIDENCE — The state Board of Elections confirmed Joseph J. Giammarco’s Democratic primary win over John Sisto Jr. for a seat on the North Providence Town Council after conducting a recount yesterday.

Recount leaves Pawtucket Democratic primary results the same
At-large City Council candidates Albert J. Vitali Jr., Thomas E. Hodge and Lorenzo C. Tetreault will vie in the general election; endorsed candidate John S. Baxter Jr. will not.

Democratic committee to decide at-large council primary winner
CUMBERLAND — The town Board of Canvassers voted unanimously yesterday morning to allow the Democratic Town Committee to break the deadlock in the Democratic primary for the final at-large Town Council seat.

Recount affirms Senate race win in Warwick
The Board of Elections affirms that Erin P. Lynch defeated David Bennett in last week’s Senate primary for the District 31 seat held by veteran Warwick legislator John C., Revens Jr. Revens chose not to seek reelection.

09/14/2008

Election hinges on a few states
The landscape has changed in the contest for president.

09/13/2008

Town Council candidates tied in recount
A meeting is set for Monday to decide how to break the deadlock between council candidates Bruce A. Lemois and James N. McLaughlin.

09/12/2008

Chafee stands by his words: Palin a ‘cocky whacko’
PROVIDENCE –– Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee yesterday refused to back down from his assertion that Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is a “cocky whacko.”

Recount in North Providence council race set for Monday
PROVIDENCE — The state Board of Elections will conduct a recount of the votes in the Democratic primary for North Providence Town Council in District 2.

Recount today in Cumberland at-large council race
James N. McLaughlin trails Bruce A. Lemois by only three votes after Tuesday’s primary.

Gagnon, Alter unsure if they’ll support either North Smithfield administrator candidate
After losing to Paulette Hamilton and Robert B. Lowe in the primary for town administrator, the third- and fourth-place finishers say they’re not sure if they’ll support either candidate in November.

09/11/2008

West Warwick newcomer topples a state Senate powerhouse.
Michael J. Pinga, of West Warwick, who toppled a state Senate powerhouse, calls himself “an honest, down-to-earth” person.

At the helm of Senate Finance
At the helm of Senate Finance

Election glitches didn’t affect outcome
PROVIDENCE — A memory pack was temporarily lost and another was locked in a school polling place Tuesday night but the Board of Canvassers said that the election results were not affected.

State board had wrong tally in Town Council race
NORTH PROVIDENCE — Soon after the polls closed Tuesday night, John Sisto Jr. knew that he was trailing his opponent Joseph Giammarco in his bid to win back the District 2 Town Council seat he held before he became interim mayor.

In council race, victor is change
NARRAGANSETT — As the dust settled yesterday, the winners in Tuesday’s Town Council primary seemed to have two general reactions.

Campaign Journal
The South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce invites the public to attend three Tuesday-night candidate forums this fall.

Old basics still key to winning the votes
Shoe-leather campaigning and party endorsement appeared to mean more than any ideological divide in two spirited primaries.

Unions’ bid not enough to topple McKee in Cumberland mayoral primary
CUMBERLAND — Fresh off a decisive victory in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, Mayor Daniel J. McKee called out three of the state’s unions for throwing their support to former Mayor David S. Iwuc and criticizing his educational policies.

Ex-deputy sheriff and Pawtucket City Council candidate faces assault counts
PAWTUCKET –– A retired deputy sheriff running for City Council at-large is facing charges that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend when she allegedly grabbed his marijuana pipe and said she didn’t want him smoking pot in their house.

Lemois moves into three-vote lead in Cumberland council primary
CUMBERLAND — It appears incumbent Town Council member Bruce A. Lemois may have a shot to keep his job after all.

09/10/2008

Upsets at the Assembly
Longtime West Warwick Sen. Stephen Alves appears to have lost to Michael J. Pinga; Central Falls Sen. Daniel J. Issa is ousted by City Clerk Elizabeth Crowley.

North Providence: Giammarco edges Sisto for Town Council seat
NORTH PROVIDENCE — The fourth time appears to have been the charm for Joseph J. Giammarco in his attempt to win a seat on the Town Council.

North Providence: School board chairman loses to newcomer
NORTH PROVIDENCE — Nino Leva says he’ll always remember, when he was running for Town Council 34 years ago, his two young daughters going door to door with him: little Tami, then 4, and Traci, 7.

Providence-North Providence: Ciccone, Corvese returned to office
Two lawmakers whose districts straddle the Providence-North Providence line fended off challenges from their two opponents in yesterday’s Democratic primary.

In Providence, only 7 percent turn out to return incumbents
PROVIDENCE — Democratic incumbents swept away their challengers in yesterday’s primaries in the Capital City, and most of the races weren’t even close.

Sen. Alves toppled in primary by newcomer
Veteran Sen. J. Michael Lenihan, D-East Greenwich, decisively turned back a primary bid yesterday in District 35, but Senate Democrat Stephen D. Alves, of West Warwick, apparently was toppled in his bid for a ninth term by newcomer Michael J. Pinga, by a scant 17 votes in District 9.

Barr wins 3-way primary for Lincoln administrator
LINCOLN — Former state Rep. John Douglas Barr II, a narrow loser two years ago in the Democratic town administrator primary, was the easy winner last night, getting 55 percent of the vote while besting former town party chairman John J. Cullen and former town solicitor Louis E. Azar.

09/09/2008

Challenger tops field in North Smithfield town administrator race
NORTH SMITHFIELD — First-time candidate Paulette Hamilton was the first-place finisher in the town administrator primary yesterday, and will face incumbent Robert B. Lowe, who came in second.

09/10/2008

McKee wins fourth term as mayor of Cumberland
CUMBERLAND — Mayor Daniel J. McKee won his fourth term last night, beating former Mayor David S. Iwuc by more than 1,600 votes.

McCue leader of the pack in North Kingstown
Tracey A. McCue, the only woman among seven candidates in yesterday’s Democratic Town Council primary, got the most votes in light voting.

Hay topples Bowen in race for Richmond town clerk
RICHMOND –– Tracy Nelson Hay, the endorsed Democratic candidate for town clerk, won the primary election yesterday with 293 votes to Helena M. Bowen’s 221, according to the state Board of Elections.

Crook and Wilkens emerge on top in Narragansett council primary
NARRAGANSETT — Challengers took four of the top five slots and six of the top 10 yesterday as voters chose the 10 candidates who will face off in November’s Town Council election.

Endorsed Democrats roll to victory in South Kingstown council race
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — The endorsed Democratic slate of five candidates yesterday won the right to run for Town Council in the general election in November, according to the state Board of Elections’ unofficial results.

Incumbents Sheehan, Lenihan beat back challenges
Incumbent Senators James C. Sheehan and J. Michael Lenihan –– veteran lawmakers and teachers –– easily beat their Democratic challengers in last night’s primary, according to unofficial numbers from the state Board of Elections.

Kevin Heitke is biggest vote getter among Democrats for Burrillville council
BURRILLVILLE — Town Council President Nancy F. Binns and Councilwoman Margaret L. Dudley preserved their places on the November ballot in yesterday’s Democratic primary, but the top vote getter was Kevin D. Heitke, a lawyer.

Photo: She's there for the voters
Rita Vingi, a supervisor at the Western Hills Middle School polling place, in Cranston, assists a voter yesterday.

Doyle allies gain 2 council spots in Pawtucket
PAWTUCKET –– In a partial victory for Mayor James E. Doyle, two of the three City Council at-large candidates backing the mayor for reelection won yesterday’s Democratic primary.

Warwick, West Warwick incumbents survive school board primaries
In contests for school seats in Warwick and West Warwick, incumbents held their ground in their respective primaries yesterday and will advance to the November races.

Sen. Alves toppled in primary by newcomer
Veteran Sen. J. Michael Lenihan, D-East Greenwich, decisively turned back a primary bid yesterday in District 35, but Senate Democrat Stephen D. Alves, of West Warwick, apparently was toppled in his bid for a ninth term by newcomer Michael J. Pinga, by a scant 17 votes in District 9.

DeVall wins Democratic primary in Senate Dist. 18
The school administrator wins more than 57 percent of the vote in the three-way race to move on to November.

Portsmouth School Committee race up in air
An extremely close School Committee race apparently leaves one incumbent off the November ballot, while the endorsed Democratic slate for Town Council wins.

E. Providence backs endorsed Democrat in House District 63
The endorsed Democrat advances to November, when he will face two candidates for the House seat being vacated by Henry C. Rose.

Tech glitch slows reporting of votes in 3 towns
Three communities had to report their poll numbers from yesterday’s primary the old-fashioned way.

Reps. Palumbo, Watson, Flaherty win
State Rep. Peter G. Palumbo handily won one of the most closely watched primary battles in the state yesterday.

09/09/2008

Photo: No waiting at polling places
Raymond Insana, left, shown voting in the Cranston polling place at Western Hills Middle School at about 4:30 p.m., was only the 36th voter to cast a ballot there yesterday. Seated, at center, are poll supervisors Rita Vingi, Kathy Spooner, Fred Spooner and Ron Cabral. At right is clerk Elicia Hoyle. At top, campaign volunteers stand outside the polling place.

09/10/2008

Incumbent Democrats in Cumberland hold off challengers
CUMBERLAND — At least three incumbent Town Council members were voted back into office in yesterday’s Democratic primary.

Donovan, Pelletier prevail in Warwick Cranston council races
In Warwick, it appears that being an incumbent who campaigns as hard as a newcomer was the victory formula for Ward 7 Councilman Charles J. Donovan Jr., according to unofficial results.

Reps. Palumbo, Watson, Flaherty win
State Rep. Peter G. Palumbo handily won one of the most closely watched primary battles in the state yesterday.

09/09/2008

Photo: Candidate at the polls
At the Narragansett Community Senior Center, voters are met by candidates and their surrogates. State Rep. David Caprio affixes a sign to his car.

Photo: Voters Finally Have Their Say
Aran Flaherty is a little too young to exercise the franchise, but she seemed interested when her mother Tara voted yesterday at the Narragansett Community Senior Center.

09/10/2008

Incumbents edge out challengers in Johnston
JOHNSTON — Democratic incumbents, running on the strength of the town’s financial recovery over the past 18 months, edged out challengers in yesterday’s primary.

Barr wins 3-way primary for Lincoln administrator
LINCOLN — Former state Rep. John Douglas Barr II, a narrow loser two years ago in the Democratic town administrator primary, was the easy winner last night, getting 55 percent of the vote while besting former town party chairman John J. Cullen and former town solicitor Louis E. Azar.

Incumbent Reed defeats challenger in Democratic primary for U.S. Senate
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed easily beat back a primary challenge from perennial political candidate Christopher F. Young yesterday.

09/09/2008

Lack of state races may limit turnout
Town Council, School Committee and General Assembly seats are up for grabs today in North Providence and a relatively high turnout is expected, but Providence expects a slow day with only Assembly seats in play.

Time for non-stop talk to stop
Voters in today’s primaries will decide who gets a shot at influencing state and local government.

East Bay primary voting today for Democrats only
If the lines are long in your polling place today, it won’t be because of a lengthy ballot.

Jennings’ mail ballots put in escrow
PROVIDENCE — House Dist. 10 candidate Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., who two weeks ago claimed that nearly his entire extended family was disabled and needed mail ballots because they could not vote in person, had 24 of his ballots set aside by the state Board of Elections in anticipation of today’s Democratic primary.

Time for non-stop talk to stop
Voters in today’s primaries will decide who gets a shot at influencing state and local government.

Generally light turnout predicted in today’s primaries
But a Brown University political scientist suggests that spirited General Assembly contests in Cranston and Warwick could draw hefty turnouts.

Nine candidates running for Glocester school board seats
Town Council President Steven A. Sette and two committee incumbents head the list of those vying for three open positions.

Cumberland primary for mayor tops ballot today
Incumbent Daniel J. McKee and challenger David S. Iwuc are no strangers when it comes to running for the town’s top post.

Interfaith group calls on leaders to fight poverty
PROVIDENCE — Leaders of a broad-based interfaith coalition of clergy and other groups, alarmed at what they see as the tendency by some politicians to place the needs of the poor on the back burner, are poised to issue a call to area churches, synagogues and temples today, urging those seeking public office to outline what they will do during their first 100 days to create more economic opportunity.

Rhode Island’s primary election
Today’s primary elections in Rhode Island are for Republicans and Democrats to choose their party’s nominees for federal, state and local offices.

Cumberland primary for mayor tops ballot today
Incumbent Daniel J. McKee and challenger David S. Iwuc are no strangers when it comes to running for the town’s top post.

09/08/2008

Rhode Island’s primary election
Tomorrow’s primary elections in Rhode Island are for Republicans and Democrats to choose their party’s nominees for federal, state and local offices.

09/07/2008

Polling places open Tuesday at 7 or 8 a.m.
Tuesday’s primary elections in Rhode Island are for Republicans and Democrats to choose their party’s nominees for federal, state and local offices.

In 3 Blackstone Valley towns, primaries for chief executive
In Cumberland, the Democratic primary will probably decide the winner as there are no Republican challengers.

09/06/2008

Candidate quits Cumberland Town Council race
Robert Dias says he’s now supporting Thomas Tougas’ challenge to incumbent council member Antonio J. Albuquerque.

TUESDAY’S PRIMARY BALLOT
DEMOCRATS

09/07/2008

Mark Patinkin: Conventions have a way of turning folks into believers
The last two weeks have got me thinking about conventions then and now.

09/05/2008

In Narragansett, controversy and questions
NARRAGANSETT — With a strong aroma of controversy and 15 people running for five seats, this year’s race for the Town Council was already shaping up to be one of the most heated in recent memory.

Voters will decide local races in E. Providence, Portsmouth
East Bay communities other than East Providence and Portsmouth have no local races, and turnout there is expected to be light.

North Kingstown council will have a clean slate
NORTH KINGSTOWN — Seven Democrats are fighting to fill the void left by the outgoing Town Council.

Narragansett Town Council Candidate Profiles
Susan Cicilline-Buonanno

In Richmond, clerk assistants square off
RICHMOND — They’ve worked together for just over five years under the direction of Town Clerk Mary Morgan.

Mostly Democratic primaries Tuesday
Tuesday’s Democratic primary between former Mayor David S. Iwuc and incumbent Mayor Daniel J. McKee could decide the third round of the battle to be Cumberland’s mayor. There also are Democratic primaries for at large, District 1, District 3 and District 5 Town Council seats. The area’s only Republican primary is the race for the District 5 Town Council seat.

Public-access TV show will air Pawtucket mayoral debate
PAWTUCKET –– After saying he wouldn’t, Mayor James E. Doyle has agreed to appear on the Glen Medeiros Show, on public-access TV’s Channel 18, to debate Donald R. Grebien, his opponent in the November election.

Two veterans in race for lone council seat
NORTH PROVIDENCE — Democratic primary voters in District 2 will go to the polls Tuesday to decide the political fate of former interim-Mayor John Sisto Jr. and one of his longtime rivals, Joseph J. Giammarco, who are seeking the party nomination for one of the district’s two Town Council seats.