Eyes on RI as primary nears

April 20, 2016 6:49 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Democratic Front-Runner Hillary Clinton and Republican John Kasich are campaigning in Rhode Island Saturday, as the smallest state quickly becomes a political focus like never before.

"It’s unprecedented in terms of the last few elections, there’s no doubt about it," explained Dr. Kay Israel, political analyst with Rhode Island College. The state isn’t usually an attractive spot to campaign with its few delegates and late primary.

Clinton is coming a little more than a week after former President Bill Clinton stumped for her at CCRI in Warwick. Though she’s still ahead, now it’s about securing as many states as possible to attract super delegates, according to Israel.

"It’s just great to have [the Clinton’s] in Rhode Island and the energy is really picking up," said Rep. Joe McNamara (D-Warwick and Cranston), state honorary chair for the Clinton campaign and state Democratic Party Chair.

Meanwhile, Republican John Kasich, who is trailing in last place, is hoping for a contested Republican Convention, as he tries to keep front-runner Donald Trump from getting enough delegates to secure the nomination.

"I think the Republican Party is blessed with the opportunity to reset this campaign,” Dawson Hodgson, state honorary chair for the Kasich campaign, said. “There’s been a lot about [the election] that doesn’t make us proud as Americans or Republicans."

There are even talks the three remaining candidates may come to Rhode Island ahead of Tuesday’s primary. Israel compares Rhode Island’s role to a whisper that may be heard for once. "Three weeks ago, if you had asked me whether this primary was going to have any importance at all, I probably would’ve said no,” he explained. “The game has changed."

Five states are voting in Tuesday’s primary.