J. Aaron Regunberg v. Miriam Ross v. Heather Tow-Yick
The Rhode Island Political Scene experience d a huge shake up when House Speaker Gordon Fox’s office was raided in March by federal officials. Following the initial raid Fox resigned as House Speaker and announced he would not seek re-election. Thus his East Side of Providence seat was left vacant. There are three Democrats vying for the seat in the highly Democratic District including J. Aaron Regunberg, Miriam A Ross, and Heather P Tow-Yick. Regunberg has been a strong fundraiser raising huge amounts of money right off the bat. Regunberg is most known as a community organizer in the city of Providence and most recently through his work with the Providence Student Union. Regunberg helped lead efforts to eliminate “high-stakes” testing as a graduation requirement in the city’s public schools. Aside from education reform Regunberg is also calling for “tax fairness.” Tow-Yick is also making education a key part of her campaign touting her experience as the Executive Director for Teach America. She is also calling for more job training for Rhode Island‘s workforce and encouraging entrepreneurship. The third candidate, Ross, is a local business attorney who is campaigning on a platform of job creation and improving public education. The winner of this primary will face off against Independent Ethan Gyles. The district sways heavily toward Democrats so it is likely that in the end the winner of the primary will win the election.
Democrat Rep. in District 43
Ed Doyle v. Deb Fellela
The town of Johnston has become a battleground as Democrat Ed Doyle is taking on incumbent Deborah Fellela. Fellela has served in the House since 2006 but as recently been scrutinized after her husband was accused and later convicted of stealing credit cards from mailboxes and using them illegally. Now Fellela is in a tough primary against Ed Doyle who has been extremely vocal and has been hitting the pavement everyday door knocking. Both Doyle and Fellela lean to the right. Fellala has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association and Rhode Island Right to Life. Doyle says if he is elected he will represent small business and taxpayers. He says he plans to work to cut back on government waste. This square off will be interesting on Tuesday as both candidates have been all over town campaigning and incumbent Fellela may be vulnerable due to her husband’s indiscretions.
Democrat Rep. District 12
Joe Almeida v. Anthony Roberson
Things are getting heated in House District 12 has Providence Police Officer Anthony Roberson is taking on incumbent Joe Almeida. Almeida was re-elected in 2012 after he was voted out in 2010. In 2010, Almeida lost to former State Representative Leo Medina by a handful of votes. During his one term in office Medina was accused of several crimes. Just last week, Medina was sentenced to three years behind bars for misappropriating insurance money. After regaining his house seat Almeida has been pretty quite overall this session. Now, Providence Police Officer Anthony Roberson says he thinks he can do a better job. Roberson says if elected public safety would be a top priority for him in addition to supporting an increase in minimum wage and more employment opportunities for students, women, and minorities. Almeida also supports an increase in the minimum wages having voted yes on the House bill earlier this year. Almeida also voted to support same sex marriage and to limit the frequency of teacher evaluations. The race will be interesting to watch on Tuesday as Almeida is arguably vulnerable having just regained his house seat.
Democrat Rep. District 59
John Arcaro v. Jean Philippe Barros
These two Democrats are vying for the open seat left by Representative J. Patrick O’Neill who announced he would not run for re-election. O’Neill made the announcement shortly after Former House Speaker Gordon Fox resigned. With O’Neill’s unexpected announcement it left the Pawtucket seat open. Now Democrat John Arcaro, who has ran for the seat four times in the past, and Democrat Jean Philippe Barros are vying for the spot. Arcaro is a vocal opponent of illegal immigration and has made the issue a cornerstone of his campaign in the past. Barros, a Pawtucket city councilman, has been endorsed by the Democratic Party. He says he is running as an advocate for the taxpayer and is using his leadership on the council to support her assertion. Whoever prevails in the Democratic Primary will face off against Independent Bob Venturini. Since the district is heavily Democratic it is likely the Democratic candidate will prevail in the General Election.
