Tuesday’s Rhode Island primary featured a rare spotlight on Republican candidates. Cranston was the scene of a hard-fought mayoral campaign — one of the few places in the state with such high-profile GOP competition. The losing candidate, Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, has been a bright spot for the Rhode Island GOP, but she’s been taken off […]
Politics
Posted inLocal, Politics
What Rhode Island’s Young Democrats thought about the presidential debate
The Black Sheep bar in downtown Providence was brimming with 40 or so young voters on Tuesday night, many of them wearing blue “I voted” stickers on their lapels and shirt collars. They were there to watch the presidential debate, pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump, at the The Young Democrats […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Hopkins cruises to victory over Fenton-Fung in Cranston
In the marquee race of Rhode Island’s 2024 primary, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins scored a commanding victory over GOP rival state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, as voters rejected her argument that the city needed change. Unofficial results showed Hopkins winning 58.5% of the vote, compared with 41.5% for Fenton-Fung. Fenton-Fung is married to longtime former […]
Posted inLocal, Politics
Highlights: Sept. 10 Rhode Island state primary
READ MORE: Hopkins cruises to victory over Fenton-Fung in Cranston Live updates Race calls are based on reports from the Associated Press, unless otherwise noted. Results are preliminary and subject to certification by the Board of Elections.
Posted inPolitics
GOP contest for Cranston mayor is a race to watch on RI Primary Day
In the marquee race of Rhode Island’s 2024 primary, Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins is facing a GOP challenge from state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat first elected in 2006, is opposed by Michael Costa, who argues it’s time for a change. Polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The winner of […]
Posted inHousing, Politics, The Weekly Catch
Races to watch in Tuesday’s state primary, how local zoning rules stifle housing production, and more
Rhode Island lawmakers are taking aim at the state’s housing shortage by passing laws and increasing funding to expand inventory. But local zoning laws that vary between cities and towns are often a barrier to building. We take a look at the political tug-of-war between state and local officials over the housing crisis from our series Zoned Out. Also, Rhode Island’s state primary election is this Tuesday. Political reporter Ian Donnis highlights a few key races to watch. Plus, we look back at the thriving arts scene in Providence in the 1990s, and how the old mill buildings of the city’s industrial past made that possible. That and more on this week’s show.
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Sept. 6, 2024
Happy PVDFest Weekend! You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call 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 marquee race in Rhode Island’s primary election on Tuesday is […]
Posted inPolitical Roundtable, Politics
Common Cause’s John Marion on 2024 elections, open records, and more
The former Providence Journal reporter Elliot Jaspin once called Rhode Island a theme park for journalists. The same could be said for advocates of good government. Although there have been fewer cases of public corruption in recent years, issues of government accountability and transparency remain front and center. One person closely monitoring these issues is John Marion, who has served as executive director of Common Cause of Rhode Island since 2008. He keeps a watchful eye on state government and spends long hours at the Statehouse monitoring the General Assembly. Over time, Marion and predecessors including Phil West have been an important voice for reform in Rhode Island. But is that enough when many people believe democracy is on the ballot this November? What is the effect when Donald Trump perpetuates a false narrative about crooked elections? And why are we not seeing more robust competition for legislative seats in Rhode Island? This week on Political Roundtable, political reporter Ian Donnis goes in-depth with head of Common Cause of Rhode Island, John Marion.
Posted inLocal, Politics
Lawsuit against Hopkins sparks heat in Cranston mayoral race
According to Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins, a lawsuit alleging he took a car without paying for it is baseless, while rival Republican Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung is calling for State Police and the attorney general’s office to review the matter. The Superior Court lawsuit, filed by Davide Broccoli, emerged last week. It charges that Hopkins wrongfully […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
TGIF: Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for Aug. 30, 2024
You love it when Peter Farrelly sneaks in a Rhode Island reference. You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE WEEK: Running for […]