The Phoenix endorses Patrick Lynch.
Stenhouse for secretary of state
SUSAN STENHOUSE of Warwick and A. Ralph Mollis of North Providence, the respective Republican and Democratic candidates in this race, each have the capability to be a good secretary of state.
To their credit, the opponents have run a civil campaign, with a focus on their ideas, and either could be expected to foster a return to the roots for the office, which has functioned more recently as a would-be springboard for higher office.
Mollis, the longtime mayor of North Providence, brings more government experience to the table than Stenhouse, a Warwick city councilor who works as Governor Carcieri’s deputy director of community affairs. Each candidate is bright and articulate. The Phoenix is endorsing Stenhouse because of her greater distance from the political status quo.
Caprio for general treasurer
State Senator FRANK CAPRIO of Providence has the intelligence, energy, and financial acumen to do a strong job as Rhode Island’s next general treasurer. The Phoenix endorses Frank Caprio.
Although handicapped by a late start, Andrew Lyon, Caprio’s Republican challenger, seems bright and articulate, and we hope that he remains involved on the political scene.
Cicilline for mayor of Providence
Republican candidate Daniel Harrop has done Providence voters a favor by offering a choice in this year’s mayoral election, while also bringing attention to some of the difficult issues facing the city.Yet Mayor DAVID N. CICILLINE has largely pursued the course that he pledged to set when he ran in 2002, and he merits another term to build on the accomplishments of his first one. The city’s development boom, although it presents its own challenges, represents a vote of confidence in Providence’s future. Cicilline’s other successes include delivering long-overdue reform in the police department and attracting an impressive school superintendent with a long-term commitment to the city.
The Phoenix endorses David N. Cicilline.
General assembly House of Representatives
District 2 — David Segal
District 3 — Edith Ajello
District 4 — Gordon Fox
District 11 — Grace Diaz
District 12 — Joseph Almeida
District 18 — Art Handy
District 29 — Ray Sullivan
District 36 — Donna Walsh
District 72 — Amy Rice
District 11 — Charles Levesque | Senate
District 2 — Juan Pichardo
District 3 — Rhoda PerryDistrict 5 — Jeff Toste
District 28 — Josh Miller
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“Yes” on question 1
The issue of amending the state Constitution to allow for casino gambling in Rhode Island is an even more difficult choice than the one faced by voters in the race between Chafee and Whitehouse for the US Senate.
It’s a vote on the future of how the state develops economically, and it’s a vote on how the state will finance itself, because existing gambling receipts are now the state’s third-largest source of revenue. We recognize that in contemplating the future there is always an element of uncertainty. But on balance, we favor the idea of casino gambling and we urge a “yes” vote.
Casino gambling offers Rhode Island a chance to bolster an already strong tourist economy and to save a sagging convention business. And those are tangible pluses to be weighed against the vague talk that this will be bad for the local economy.
