Mother of the Candidate Says She's Proud

NEWPORT, RI – Not too many voters, -- and in fact, not too many people -- could be found at Newport's Fenner Hall around noon. But Linda Veri, of Little Compton, and Ellen Chilabato, of Portsmouth, kept up the hard work of helping their candidates.

Chilabato hoisted a sign for Newport's Harry Winthrop, the former mayor now seeking a seat on the city council. Her husband's from Newport, and "Harry's an old friend from a way back," she said.

Veri held a sign for Amy Veri, her daughter and Republican candidate for the District 12 Senate seat.

"I am very proud of her," she said. "I'm glad she's serious about the issues. She thinks she can help."

Asked if there had been early signs her daughter was bound for a political future, he mother remembered she liked to debate, especially in college.

At Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., she founded the Young Republicans club.

Linda Veri and Chilabato said they hadn't seen any lines at the polls either in Newport or in their home towns, but they thought the turnout was steady.

"I didn't see any lines" in Portsmouth, Chilabato said, but Veri waited in line inside her polling place in Little Compton.