Raimondo Cruises to Victory in Democratic Primary for Governor

By Mark Schieldrop

Expectations for a close race in the Democratic primary for governor Tuesday night dissolved early on as Treasurer Gina Raimondo stormed to a decisive victory with 42 percent of the vote and 16,000 more votes than runner up Angel Taveras, who finished with 35,803 votes to Raimondo’s 51,770.

“Thank you Rhode Island!” Raimondo said to an adoring crowd of energized supporters in a victory speech at The Met in Pawtucket. “Tonight, Rhode Island showed it’s ready to get back to work. And Rhode Island showed it’s ready for a leader to turn this economy around.”

Finishing third with 32,986 votes was Clay Pell.

Both Taveras and Pell called Raimondo before 9 p.m. to offer congratulations and Raimondo praised both for running “excellent campaigns.”

“Hats off to them,” she told WPRI’s Tim White. “Both were in it for the right reasons.”

Raimondo focused on the economy during her victory speech — much like her Republican opponent Allan Fung, who won his primary battle against Barrington businessman Ken Block by a margin of 55 to 45 percent.

“Rhode Island needs a comeback,” Raimondo said. “It’s time for a governor who offers bold changes.”

Raimondo said “we’re not going to cut our way out, or tax our way out. We’re going to grow our way out” in a speech that made promises to fuel economic growth to spark the growth of a healthy middle class.

“We can’t afford to kick the can down the road anymore. We can’t keep tinkering around the edges,” Raimondo said.

The Democratic primary was one of the most expensive in state history, with the three candidates spending more than $10 million in all.

Though Raimondo was the most well-funded, vehement opposition from a large contingent of police and fire unions based on Raimondo’s spearheading of pension reform as treasurer, along with increasing momentum building behind Pell, the overwhelming margin of victory for Raimondo Tuesday night came as a surprise to some.

Raimondo said she’s not looking back, and instead, “we’ve got a few weeks left to pull this off,” she said.

“We’re ready to get to work. Rhode Island is ready to get to work. Rhode Island is ready for a turnaround, ready for a leader who is going to stand up for Rhode Island taxpayers, build the middle class and get Rhode Island on the move.”

Photo: Gina for RI via Facebook