Lt. Gov. Matos, well-known activist weigh-in on Sen. Whitehouse beach club controversy

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) – The controversy continued mounting over Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s connection to a predominantly all-white club in Newport on Tuesday.

Staff at Bailey’s Beach club told ABC6 they continued getting phone calls with people being outraged over the senator’s ties to the club.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos answered reporter questions at the state house about the controversy.

“Here in Rhode Island there’s going to be more changes that are going to continue to happen,” Lt. Gov. Matos said. “If you look back in history there were clubs that were only for men, some women were not allowed, we are making progress, so I’m hoping we’re going to continue to make progress.”

Well-known local activist Mark Fisher went even further than Matos’ statement, saying he may call for Sen. Whitehouse to resign.

“I think unless he comes out and emphatically denounces his association with this whites only club, his family’s association with it, their holdings in this, and denounces anyone else’s interest in a club like this, in today’s atmosphere, in this day and age, I think he needs to resign,” Fisher said.

Another problem for senator Whitehouse; his wife is a major shareholder of Bailey’s Beach club.

“It’s always better late than never,” Fisher said, “and as long as he does what’s right, you know? It doesn’t matter why he did it. If he comes out and does what needs to be done, then there’s always room for redemption.”

Aside from commenting on the angry calls, a staff member at Bailey’s Beach club told ABC6 there wasn’t anyone available to possibly comment on the controversy until the next day.

Whitehouse’s office didn’t return any calls or emails requesting comment on Tuesday.