PROVIDENCE – Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline and Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman William J. Lynch both said over the weekend they will run for the open 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy.
The two Democrats, both lawyers, join what is certain to be a crowded primary field. State Rep. Edwin R. Pacheco, D-Burrillville, has also been seeking support for a run, according to WRNI. State Rep. Jon D. Brien, D-Woonsocket, had already expressed interest in the race.
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Nearly a dozen other Democrats, including former Rhode Island Hospital President Dr. Joseph F. Amaral, were listed as “seriously considering” vying for the seat in a list compiled by the political blogger Matt Jerzyk, although it was unclear which of them had confirmed that interest.
On the Republican side, State Rep. John J. Loughlin II, R-Tiverton, the House minority whip, had already announced his candidacy before Kennedy said he would retire.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan Washington-based political newsletter, said over the weekend its analysts continue to rate Kennedy’s seat as “solid Democratic” and unlikely to go to a Republican unless there was a “badly flawed Democratic nominee and a third-party distraction,” Bloomberg News reported.
Would-be candidates have until the end of June to register for the election, according to the election calendar released last week by R.I. Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis. The primary election is scheduled for Sept. 14 and the general election will take place on Nov. 2. Citizens must register to vote at least a month before the elections to cast a ballot.
Meanwhile, Cicilline’s decision creates an opening for mayor of Providence. In an interview with WRNI, Cicilline said he would finish his mayoral term while running for Congress.
John J. Lombardi, a city councilman for 26 years, said Sunday he will run for mayor. Lombardi, a Democrat, served briefly as mayor in late 2002 after Vincent A. “Buddy” Cianci Jr. resigned following his conviction for racketeering.
Other potential mayoral candidates, all Democrats, include City Councilmen Terry Hassett and Michael Solomon and State Rep. Steven M. Costantino, chairman of the House Finance Committee, WRNI said.
so with the country and the state angry about the condition of the economy and the direction of government why would we send either of these candidates to Washington?
They are both supporters of policies that have destroyed the RI economy, made the country weaker and driven the debt of the nation to an unsupportable level.
Their election would do for America what they have done for RI. the net effect is that there would be nowhere for Rhode Islanders to escape. currently we can move to other states that are more business friendly and offer safer futures for our children.
Either of these two would even take away the ability to escape. We need sanctuary locations for disenchanted Rhode Islanders
Go, David, go! RI is lucky to have him…I hope he wins!