Former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo — a Democrat who is facing the end of her tenure as U.S. Commerce secretary due to Donald Trump’s victory last week — is considering making another run for governor, The Public’s Radio has learned from multiple sources. Speculation on Raimondo’s future has centered on the possibility of her […]
Politics
Posted inLocal, Politics
How Trump gained voters in parts of Rhode Island
Our political reporter Ian Donnis sat down with two local observers to discuss that question: state Representative Jon Brien, a conservative Democrat-turned-independent from Woonsocket; and Lauren Niedel, a progressive Democratic State Committee member from Glocester. TRANSCRIPT This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Donnis: Jon, Lauren. Thank you for joining me. Jon Brien: […]
Posted inPolitics, The Weekly Catch
What do the election results mean for Rhode Islanders?
With Republicans soon in control of the White House, Senate, and possibly the House, what could it mean for Rhode Islanders? Political reporter Ian Donnis and political scientist Wendy Schiller join us to talk about that and other takeaways from Tuesday’s elections. Also, how are the state’s young voters feeling about the election results? We talk with a group of students from Johnson & Wales University to get their take. And the Rhode Island Philharmonic has a new music director. She won’t take the seat until early next year, but she is conducting the orchestra in a concert this weekend. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Nov. 8, 2024
With the 2024 election in the books, we’re on the fast-track to the holidays … and the quiet phase of a statewide election looming in 2026. Welcome back to my weekly column. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
From ‘devastated’ to ‘hopeful,’ college students react to election results
Luis Hernandez: Last week and throughout Tuesday night we chatted with undergraduate students at Johnson & Wales University about their perspectives on the election. Today, we’re going to get their take on the results. Joining me in-studio is 22-year-old Independent Kay Allen of Pennsylvania. Kay, great to have you back. Kay Allen: Good to be […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
How progressive state Rep. Megan Cotter won re-election in a conservative Rhode Island district as Trump rolled to victory
Megan Cotter is a progressive Democratic state representative who first won election by just 32 votes in 2022. Republicans had high hopes this week of winning back Cotter’s seat, since voters in her district in Exeter, Richmond and Hopkinton lean conservative. But Cotter scored an eight-point victory over former Republican Representative Justin Price, winning the race by about 700 votes. She was victorious even though Donald Trump this week had his best Rhode Island performance yet and beat Kamala Harris in the three communities making up Cotter’s district. So what does the outcome tell us about how Democrats can compete more effectively in the Trump era? How did Cotter overcome her challenges as a candidate? And where does she think Democrats should go from here? This week on Political Roundtable, I’m going in-depth with state Representative Megan Cotter.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Divided RI Senate caucus backs Ruggerio continuing as president
Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio received a strong vote of confidence Thursday during a Democratic caucus to continue in the top job in the chamber, although some senators said concerns about Ruggerio’s health and his ability to lead could remain an ongoing issue. Ahead of a formal vote when the General Assembly starts a […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
‘It’s going to take a lot of work.’ Sheldon Whitehouse on where Democrats go from here
U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island cruised to re-election Tuesday, setting the Democrat up for a fourth term in Washington. As of Wednesday afternoon, with 100% of Rhode Island’s polling stations reporting, Whitehouse led Rhode Island state Rep. Patricia Morgan 59.6% to 40.1%, according to unofficial Board of Elections results. Whitehouse, however, is also […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Incumbents run the table in Rhode Island legislative elections
General Assembly incumbents won each of their races in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, as Republicans picked up one open seat in Tuesday’s election. Incumbents also enjoyed broad success in elections for Rhode Island Senate, although the GOP presence there could drop by one member. When the House starts its new session in January, […]
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk, Politics
Hopkins clinches mayoral victory in Cranston
Incumbent Republican Ken Hopkins won Cranston’s mayoral election last night with 51.6% of the vote. During his victory speech at the fluorescent-lit St. Mary’s Feast Society, Hopkins focused on thanking all of his fellow Republicans for their support and for running in other local races. Voters in Cranston said they appreciated that Hopkins prioritized lower […]
