In these last moments before the election for mayor of Providence, Dr. Daniel Harrop, the Republican candidate, has done something as strange as it is wrong.
Dr. Harrop has donated $1,000 – the maximum allowable – to the campaign of the Democrat running for mayor, Jorge Elorza.
Nevermind that the donation is a clear attempt to help Mr. Elorza defeat Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr. on Nov. 4 in Mr. Cianci’s bid to hold the job for a third time after being forced to vacate the office twice for criminal activity.
It’s a direct conflict to Dr. Harrop’s own candidacy for the office.
By making this donation, Dr. Harrop is making a mockery of the election and doing those Republicans looking for a clear alternative to Mr. Cianci and Mr. Elorza a great disservice. Dr. Harrop has campaigned about the dishonesty of Mr. Cianci and has committed a less-than-honest stunt of his own.
The public deserves much better than this. It’s too late to pull Dr. Harrop from the ballot. But there should be consequences for his actions. •