Several House democrats denounce Speaker Mattiello ahead of election

November 5, 2018 6:35 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Nearly 20 democrats are denouncing Nick Mattiello, saying they won’t support him as House speaker if he is reelected.

The groundswell comes one week after Mattiello ousted Rep. Cale Keable as chair of the judiciary committee, when news first broke that Rep. Katherine Kazarian accused Keable of sexual harassment years ago.

“[Mattiello] claims he didn’t know – he knew,” Rep. Mary Messier (D-Pawtucket) told ABC6 News. “A lot of people knew. I didn’t but a lot of people knew and [Kazarian] shouldn’t have had to have gone through that.”

Messier says this is just one reason why she took a stand against Mattiello, joining 13 of her House colleagues and four democrats hoping to be elected.

Mattiello has admitted he knew there was an issue four years ago and at that time asked Keable and Kazarian not to interact with each other. Kazarian has not commented on the allegations, but sent an email to Mattiello voicing concern about her bills getting fair hearings as recently as March.

“We can’t have people covering up for sexual harassment,” said Republican Opponent Steve Frias. He is applauding these democrats for taking on arguably the most influential person in the State House.

“We cannot be a high-tax state, with a reputation for corruption, and think we can survive,” he explained. “We’ve got to change. The Speaker’s had his chance. He just won’t change.”

Since Friday, ABC6 News has repeatedly requested interviews with Mattiello through his campaign spokesperson, but he was not made available.

“Even using the math of the opposition, this confirms what Speaker Mattiello has been saying all along: he has more than enough votes to comfortably be re-elected as Speaker,” Patti Doyle, Mattiello’s campaign spokesperson, said in the statement Monday. “A study of the names will show these are ultra-progressives who not good for the state’s economy. Speaker Mattiello will have a strong team that continues to focus on jobs and the economy and move our state forward.”

A recent ABC6/Providence Journal/The Public’s Radio poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire put Mattiello’s approval rating at 24-percent. The survey showed 40-percent disapproved of his performance, while 37-percent are not sure.