IAN DONNIS: Welcome to Political Roundtable, Election 2022. The top responsibility of the Rhode Island general treasurer is managing the state pension fund. But the General Treasurer’s Office also serves as a political springboard. The latest example is how the current treasurer Seth Magaziner, is running for Congress in the second district. Two candidates with […]
Ian Donnis
One of the state’s top political reporters, Ian Donnis joined The Public’s Radio in 2009. Ian has reported on Rhode Island politics since 1999, arriving in the state just two weeks before the FBI raided City Hall and Buddy Cianci’s East Side home. Ian covers breaking news, develops in-depth features and investigative reports, and welcomes a range of newsmakers to “Political Roundtable” each week. He also writes our Friday political newsletter and maintains a strong social media presence.
For many years, Ian was a panelist on WPRI-TV’s Sunday morning public affairs show, Newsmakers, and he’s a regular guest on A Lively Experiment on Rhode Island PBS. His previous experience includes serving as news editor of The Providence Phoenix and as a reporter for the Associated Press and the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He has a BS in journalism from Boston University.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys baseball, cooking, and exploring Rhode Island.
Posted inArticle, Politics
McKee and Kalus trade jabs during WPRI debate
The two top candidates for Rhode Island governor, Democrat Dan McKee and Republican Ashley Kalus, traded blows during a contentious televised debate Tuesday night, with both trying to knock the other off stride.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Globe poll shows Fung, McKee with lead over Magaziner, Kalus
A new Boston Globe/Suffolk University poll shows Republican Allan Fung with an eight-point lead over Democrat Seth Magaziner in the fight for an open seat in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District. The race could be tighter since the margin of error in this portion of the poll is almost five percentage points. However, in what […]
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island Politics Roundup for October 7, 2022
Debates here, polls there – it’s crunch time for RI’s 2022 campaign season. Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY OF THE WEEK: CD2 Republican Allan Fung […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
On Political Roundtable: Election 2022, RI Lt. Gov. candidate Aaron Guckian; Economic Progress Institute’s Weayonnoh Nelson-Davis; and what’s next for bicycling in Providence
The last Republican lieutenant governor in Rhode Island was Bernie Jackvony – and he was appointed to fill that role back in the late 1990s. And a lot of people question whether Rhode Island really needs a lieutenant governor. That question notwithstanding, Dan McKee was in the right place at the right time when, thanks to his being lieutenant governor, he succeeded Gina Raimondo as governor in March 2021. McKee ran a contest to come up with the next lieutenant governor, and he chose Providence City Council President Sabina Matos. But now, a first-time candidate wants to bring the lieutenant governor’s office back under Republican control.
Posted inArticle, Politics
Poll shows Fung leading Magaziner, and McKee with a bigger advantage against Kalus
Republican Allan Fung holds a six-point lead over Democrat Seth Magaziner in the fight for an open seat in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District, according to a new poll. The poll by WPRI-TV, Channel 12, shows Fung with 46% of the support, compared with 40% for Magaziner. Moderate Party candidate William Gilbert got 4%, 9% […]
Posted inArticle, Politics
As GOP raises focus on transgender rights, Kalus defends her husband’s work to help the transition of transgender women
The physician husband of Rhode Island GOP candidate for governor Ashley Kalus has used plastic surgery to aid the transition of transgender women — a practice at odds with growing opposition among Republicans to transgender rights. Dr. Jeffrey Weinzweig promoted a specialty in facial feminization surgery when Kalus and he lived in Illinois, and he […]
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for September 30, 2022
Got apple cider donuts on my mind. Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here *** STORY OF THE WEEK: The fight for governor between Republican Ashley Kalus and Democrat Dan […]
Posted inEpisode, Political Roundtable
On Political Roundtable: Election 2022, RI state Sen. Tiara Mack; Providence City Councilor Rachel Miller; and the legal battle over truck tolls in Rhode Island.
The Democratic mainstream in the Rhode Island General Assembly was typified for years by lawmakers who opposed abortion rights and supported gun rights. Over time, that began to change. Grassroots energy fueled the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2013. Six years later, in 2019, Rhode Island passed a state-based law protecting abortion rights. And earlier this year, the ruling Democrats on Smith Hill backed bills imposing new restrictions on guns. At the same time, voters earlier this month rejected an effort by one progressive group, the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, to stage a takeover of state government. And Republican candidates are hoping to increase their representation in local elective offices this November.
Posted inEpisode, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for September 23, 2002
To paraphrase the late U.S. Senator Russell Long of Louisiana: Don’t toll you. Don’t toll me. Toll that fellow behind the tree. Thanks for stopping by. You can follow me through the week on the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here […]
