- Rhode Island Democratic Committee
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Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Edwin R. Pacheco Senate leader M. Teresa Paiva-Weed House leader Gordon D. Fox Ideology American Liberalism
Progressivism
Center-leftNational affiliation Democratic Party Official colors Blue Website ridemocrats.org Politics of the United States
Political parties
ElectionsThe Rhode Island Democratic Committee is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Rhode Island. Edwin R. Pacheco is the chairman of the Party.
Contents
Democratic Party dominance in Rhode Island
For nearly five decades, Rhode Island has been one of the nation's most solidly Democratic states. Since 1928, it has voted for the Republican presidential candidate only four times. Also, has elected only one Republican (former Governor John H. Chafee) to the U.S. Senate since 1934, sent no Republicans to the U.S. House from 1940 until 1980, when one Republican and one Democrat were elected. Also in 1980, Rhode Island was one of only six states to favor Jimmy Carter. However, in 1984, Republican Edward DiPrete was elected governor and Ronald Regan narrowly carried the state in the presidential election. In the 2000 presidential election, Democrat Al Gore won 61% of the popular vote.[1] Although, an analysis of Gallup polling data shows the Democratic advantage over the Republican Party in Rhode Island voters has plunged over the last two years.[2] The Democratic advantage over the Republican Party in Rhode Isalnd slid from 37 percentage points in 2008 to 16 points this year, according to Gallup. Rhode Island has gone from being the most Democratic state in the country in 2008 to the 7th most Democratic now.[3]
Elected officials
Members of Congress
U.S. Senate
- Jack Reed
- Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. House of Representatives
- RI-01: David Cicilline
- RI-02: James Langevin
Statewide offices
- Lieutenant Governor: Elizabeth H. Roberts
- Secretary of State: A. Ralph Mollis
- Attorney General: Peter Kilmartin
- General Treasurer: Gina Raimondo
State Legislature
- Senate President: M. Teresa Paiva-Weed
- House Speaker: Gordon D. Fox
- House Majority Leader: Nicholas Mattiello
Party leadership and staff
The Rhode Island Democratic Party leadership as of 2011 is as follows.[4]
State committee officers
- Chairman: Edwin Pacheco
- Vice Chairman: Rep. Grace Diaz
- 2nd Vice Chairman: Joseph DeLorenzo
- 3rd Vice Chairman: Rep. Elaine Coderre
- Secretary: Rep. Arthur Corvese
- Corresponding Secretary: Allene Maynard
- Recording Secretary: Milton Bronstein
- Treasurer: Jeff Padwa
- Assistant Treasurer: Marcia Reback
National Committee Persons
- National Committeeman: Frank Montanaro Sr.
- National Committeewomen: Edna O'Neill Mattson
Staff
- Executive Director: Stephanie DeSilvia
- Field Director: Jonathan Boucher
Previous election results
2008 general election
President
- Barack Obama (Dem) 63.1%
- John McCain (Rep) 35.2%
Senator in Congress
- John F. Reed (Dem) 73.4%
- Robert G. Tingle (Rep) 26.6%
Representative in Congress District 1
- Patrick J. Kennedy (Dem) 68.6%
- Jonathon P. Scott (Rep) 24.3%
Representative in Congress District 2
- James R. Langevin (Dem) 70.1%
- Mark S. Zaccaria (Rep) 29.9%
2004 general election
President
- John F. Kerry (Dem) 59.4%
- George W. Bush (Rep) 38.6%
Representative in Congress District 1
- Patrick J. Kennedy (Dem) 64.1%
- David W. Rogers (Rep) 35.8%
Representative in Congress District 2
- James R. Langevin (Dem) 74.5%
- Arthur Chuck Barton III (Rep) 20.8%
Current events
Voter I.D. Law
In July 2011, the Rhode Island Legislature, which is composed mostly of Democrats, signed a voter I.D. law. A number of states this year have passed similar voter I.D. laws, all which were backed by Republicans. Rhode Island state Representative Jon Brein, the Democratic sponsor of the legislation, stated "I think that party leaders have tried to make this a Republican versus Democrat issue. It's not. It's simply a good government issue. We as representatives have a duty to the citizenry to ensure the integrity of our elections, and the requirement to show an I.D. will ensure that integrity. "[6] Rhode Island Democrat Senator Harold Metts who sponsored the voter I.D. legislation in the state senate said, "As a minority citizen and a senior citizen I would not support anything that I thought would present obstacles or limit protections."[7]
Issues
Marriage equality
On March 24, 2011, Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco issued the following statement reiterating his support of marriage equality in the State of Rhode Island:
- “I have always felt, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, that all Americans are entitled to the full protection, benefits and resources of marriage under law. More so than that, all couples who choose to enter into the union of marriage, deserve to honor their love and commitment to each other, to their families and to the communities in which they live with the full institution and benefits of marriage.
- “To deny any individual the rights and privileges of marriage based on their sexual orientation is to deny them the dignity, fairness and freedom to live their lives fully and free from anxiety – anxiety that can be avoided by ensuring marriage equality in Rhode Island. Anything less is less than equal. We take great pride in the protection of freedoms in this country and it is time for Rhode Island to stand up for our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family in the LGBT community and pass marriage equality legislation. It’s just time.”[8]
Reference
- ^ http://www.city-data.com/states/Rhode-Island-Political-parties.html
- ^ http://blogs.wpri.com/2011/08/16/gallup-democrats-dominance-drops-by-half-in-rhode-island/
- ^ http://gallup.com
- ^ "RI Democratic Party: Party Leadership and Staff". Rhode Island Democratic Party. http://ridemocrats.org/about-the-party/party-leadership-and-staff.html. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
- ^ http://www.elections.ri.gov/elections/results/
- ^ http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=588619
- ^ http://rnla.org
- ^ http://ridemocrats.org/cms-assets/documents/18678-428550.ridppacheco-on-marriage-equality324.pdf
External links
- Rhode Island Democratic Committee
- State of Rhode Island Board of Elections
- Rhode Isaland Future
- Edwin Pacheco
Rhode Island political parties Major Democratic · Republican
Minor Defunct Categories:- United States politics stubs
- Democratic Party (United States) by state
- Politics of Rhode Island
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