Four candidates competing to be the next governor of Rhode Island took to the stage last night (Monday) during a gubernatorial debate at the University of Rhode Island. The event was sponsored by URI, The Public’s Radio and The Providence Journal. As Avory Brookins reports, this was the second gubernatorial debate before the general election this November.
Ian Donnis with The Public’s Radio started things off by asking Independent challenger Joe Trillo about a 1975 police report revealing Trillo’s alleged assault against and a young Nicholas Mattiello, now the speaker of Rhode Island’s House of Representatives. Trillo was later acquitted. Asked if he has the right temperament to be governor, Trillo says there’s no question he’s the right man for the job.
“I think we need a governor that’s not afraid to go head on with the special interests that are controlling this state and I’m that kind of guy. I’m not a laid back, easy-going guy. If you’re looking for that, it’s not me.”
At several moments during the debate, Trillo was interrupted by calls of racist and black lives matter from the crowd.
Republican challenger and Mayor of Cranston Allan Fung accused Democratic incumbent Gina Raimondo of losing her way. Fung says Raimondo focuses more on out-of-state fundraising than serving Rhode Islanders and says she has increased the state budget by nearly a billion dollars.
But Raimondo says Fung doesn’t have much to show for his years as mayor of Cranston.
“Five tax increases, plus car tax increases, I’ve cut taxes every single year I’ve been governor, a pension system that’s 24% funded, that means people are at risk of not getting their pension.”
Moderate party candidate Bill Gilbert spoke to negative campaign advertisements. He says those ads are harmful because they prevent the public from trusting politicians.
Other questions asked during the debate focused around immigration, making higher education more accessible, and protecting the coastline from rising sea levels.
For The Public’s Radio, I’m Avory Brookins.