Rhode Island GOP Pulls Allen Waters' Endorsement

CRANSTON, RI — The GOP of Rhode Island has pulled its endorsement of Allen Waters, candidate for the U.S. Senate, due to reports that he was involved in a “domestic incident” in March of 2019. The Executive Committee of the R.I. Republican Party issued a statement that it voted to overturn his endorsement Thursday.

Rhode Island GOP Chairwoman Sue Cienki said that the Executive Committee heard concerns from many people within the Republican Party after the reports of a domestic dispute came out. That caused them to review the endorsement. Cienki pointed out that withdrawing their endorsement does not mean that Waters can’t run.

“If Mr. Waters does gather the required signatures, he can continue his campaign and run as a Republican, though it will be without the endorsement or support of the Rhode Island Republican Party,” she said.

Waters’s campaign did not immediately respond to a Patch message seeking comment on the party's decision. He is running against Jack Reed, a Democrat who has held his seat since 1996.

Waters touts himself as the “People’s Candidate,” who is “fiscally responsible, socially conscious, believes in traditional American Values, follows the Constitution, and is a strong advocate for ordinary Americans like himself.”