Slater in Driver's Seat

Published Oct 07 2009, 12:23 PM by David Scharfenberg

Scott A. Slater's landslide victory yesterday in the Democratic primary for his late father's seat in the state's House of Representatives points to the enduring power of name recognition.

Even with a higher-than-expected turnout, which might bode well for challengers, Slater racked up nearly 50 percent of the vote. John M. Kelly, the well-financed president of Meeting Street School, finished second, as expected. But far behind. And a sleeper pick, Jenny L. Jourdain, got little traction.

Hard to imagine Republican Maurice Green or any of the three independents faring much better. Though those independents, at least, have some name recognition. John Tomasso's father was a City Councilman in the area. And Wilbur Jennings Jr. and Marelyn Alba-Acevedo have run for office before.

A race that looked like it might be competitive at the outset, with a number of credible candidates in a fractious district centered in Providence's West End, turned out to be anything but. One reason: it generated little interest among advocacy groups. And an unstirred pot was to Slater's benefit, since he enjoyed the natural advantage in the race.

Filed Under: General Assembly

Caprio Not Opposed to Casino

Republicans for Health Care Reform

Name (required)

Your URL (optional)

Comments (required)

Remember Me?

Follow the Providence Phoenix

All Blogs

Dont Quote Me (527)
Laser Orgy (36)
Phlog (1,432)
On The Download (2,174)
Talking Politics (1,529)
Outside The Frame (307)

Filed Under: General Assembly

Boston Phoenix
Thanks for nothing!
Published 11/24/2009 by PROVIDENCE PHOENIX STAFF
In our first annual list of Rhode Island turkeys, the Phoenix fingers 10 people and institutions that made a bad year even worse

Boston Phoenix
Easy Ed strikes again
Published 11/13/2009 by PHILLIPE AND JORGE
More propaganda from Achorn. Plus, legislative musings and more.

more by David Scharfenberg

News worth paying for? | December 04, 2009

Will Caprio’s early ad spree work? | November 27, 2009

Kennedy, Catholic Church, and Politics of Compromise | November 20, 2009

Fight for your right to party | November 13, 2009

Newspapering the hard way | November 06, 2009

See all articles by: David Scharfenberg

Latest Comments

Kenmore cat can't be caught - I wonder if it escaped from the Kenmore cat hospital..

By Ari on 12-05-2009 in Phlog

Boston Public Health Commission's Top 10 Bad Romance Songs of 2009: Is pop music unhealthy? - Wow. Thank you for taking the time to express your very biased opinion. However, I think you need to...

By Jim T on 12-05-2009 in On The Download

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: exclusive Cave In DVD preview - mike you fail'd hard. Please end your life quickly.

By shane on 12-05-2009 in On The Download

RIP, Mike Penner / Christine Daniels - offal, you help make my point. Thanks. Women suffering from depression are now recognized for having...

By O-FISH-L on 12-05-2009 in Dont Quote Me

City Council Forums - Hello !. You may , perhaps very interested to know how one can manage to receive high yields . There...

By Doktheomo on 12-05-2009 in Talking Politics

Latest Comments from Not For Nothing

Slater in Driver's Seat

Leave a Comment