logo
It's decision time for Speaker Shekarchi in the Rhode Island governor's race

It's decision time for Speaker Shekarchi in the Rhode Island governor's race

Boston Globe25-06-2025
Advertisement
It was the kind of pragmatic approach that Shekarchi prides himself on taking. He came across as one of the few adults in the State House without risking virtually any of his own political capital, and he landed on the right side of an issue that
Get Rhode Map
A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Which, like it or not, is exactly the kind of governor Shekarchi would be.
Now that the
Advertisement
During an interview with WPRO's Gene Valicenti
'Whatever decision I make will be based on what I think can be effective and good for myself and the people of Rhode Island, and it will not be not determined on who else is in the race or whatever everyone else is doing,' Shekarchi said.
You have to be fluent in Shekarchi-speak to understand the message there.
He no longer cares that incumbent Democratic Governor Dan McKee says he's running for reelection. He can read a poll as well as anyone in the state – a recent University of New Hampshire poll found McKee's
He also doesn't care that
Conventional wisdom holds that Foulkes, the former CVS executive who surged late in the 2022 primary, would benefit from a split between McKee and Shekarchi — making her the outsider versus two insiders.
But Foulkes' path to victory would be made cloudier by Shekarchi entering the race, consolidating labor support, and pushing McKee out of the race. There's a reason she jokes to her supporters that she doesn't want McKee to call it quits.
Advertisement
That's not to say Shekarchi would be a lock to win a Democratic primary, either.
He's quickly establishing himself as one of the best House speakers in generations, but he's untested when it comes to statewide elections. There are legitimate questions about whether he can take a political punch, as he can be sensitive to even mild criticism.
But if you want to know how Shekarchi would lead the state, look no further than the gun issue.
He's not a fan of splashy theatrics, and prefers to reach compromise rather than digging in his heels simply to make a point. He moved the ball forward without making enemies, and without having to sacrifice anything politically.
Getting things done without making enemies is something Shekarchi knows how to do. The question is whether Democratic voters want a dealmaker or a fighter.
Dan McGowan can be reached at
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Illinois gov. signs bill opening financial aid to all residents — including illegal immigrants
Illinois gov. signs bill opening financial aid to all residents — including illegal immigrants

New York Post

time29 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Illinois gov. signs bill opening financial aid to all residents — including illegal immigrants

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a major Democratic leader and rumored presidential candidate, signed a bill into law opening student financial aid to all residents, regardless of immigration status, opening a pathway for illegal immigrants residing in the state to receive educational financial benefits. The move was slammed by conservative Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., as rewarding illegal immigrants and a 'slap in the face' to Illinois families and students. The bill purports to establish 'equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits' for all students in the state. The bill reads that 'a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for financial aid and benefits.' One of the bill's sponsors, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, a Democrat, celebrated Pritzker signing the bill by saying in a statement that 'this law is about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.' 4 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law opening student financial aid to all residents, opening a pathway for illegal immigrants residing in the state to receive educational financial benefits. REUTERS A statement by Villanueva's office said that the measure 'eliminates the patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting requirements that have excluded undocumented, DACAmented, and mixed-status students from critical aid.' The law pertains to any student residing in Illinois, making him or her eligible for financial aid programs funded or administered by the state, local governments, or public universities, according to the statement. The statement said that the law 'builds upon Villanueva's long-standing advocacy for immigrant and first-generation students by creating a more consistent and inclusive pathway to accessing support.' 4 The move was slammed by conservative Rep. Mary Miller (above), R-Ill., as rewarding illegal immigrants and a 'slap in the face' to Illinois families and students, according to reports. AP 'If you live in Illinois and are pursuing higher education, you should have access to the same opportunities as your peers,' said Villanueva. 'Illinois invests in all of our students, and we're committed to helping them succeed.' Commenting on the legislation, Miller told Fox News Digital that 'allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students.' 'Our state is drowning in debt, yet JB Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals,' she said. 'It's absolutely shameful.' 4 The bill purports to establish 'equitable eligibility for financial aid and benefits' for all students in the state, reports say. Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/Shutterstock 4 One of the bill's sponsors, state Sen. Celina Villanueva (right), a Democrat, celebrated Pritzker signing the bill by saying in a statement that 'this law is about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.' AP A spokesperson for the Illinois GOP also chimed in, telling Fox News Digital that 'once again, Governor Pritzker proves that he is prioritizing illegal immigrants at the expense of Illinois families.' 'Illinois taxpayers should not have their hard-earned taxpayer dollars pay for benefits to illegal immigrants who shouldn't be here in the first place,' added the spokesperson. Pritzker's office declined Fox News Digital's request for comment. Villanueva's office had not replied to Fox News Digital's request for comment by the time of publication.

Three states to deploy hundreds of national guard troops to Washington DC
Three states to deploy hundreds of national guard troops to Washington DC

Yahoo

time33 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Three states to deploy hundreds of national guard troops to Washington DC

Three states have moved to deploy hundreds of members of their national guard to the nation's capital as part of the Trump administration's effort to overhaul policing in Washington through a federal crackdown. West Virginia said it was deploying 300 to 400 guard troops, while South Carolina pledged 200 and Ohio said it would send 150 in the coming days. The moves announced on Saturday came as protesters pushed back on federal law enforcement and national guard troops fanning out in the heavily Democratic city following Donald Trump's executive order federalizing local police forces and activating about 800 District of Columbia national guard members. Related: Washington DC and White House agree to scale back Trump 'takeover' of city police The office of West Virginia's governor, Patrick Morrisey, said in a statement that the deployment was 'a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation' and the state would provide equipment and 'approximately 300-400 skilled personnel as directed'. The statement came after Donald Trump ordered hundreds of Washington DC national guard troops to mount a show of force and temporarily took over the city's police department to curb what the president depicts as a crime and homelessness emergency in the nation's capital. Data compiled by the DC police department shows that violent crime was actually at a 30-year low when Trump returned to office in January, and has declined a further 26% since then. Last weekend, Trump ordered the district's homeless residents to leave, or face forcible relocation, after his motorcade passed a handful of unhoused people en route to his golf course outside the city. On Thursday, local officials cleared away one of the roadside encampments Trump had complained about, arguing that they could do so in a more humane fashion than untrained federal forces. A justice department order to replace the Washington police chief, Pamela Smith, with the DEA head, Terry Cole, as the city's 'emergency police commissioner' ran into problems after a challenge in federal court by the DC attorney general, Brian Schwalb. Without issuing a direct ruling on the challenge, US district judge Ana Reyes indicated that Smith had to remain in charge. But efforts to increase federal control of the district resumed on Saturday with the order to deploy West Virginia's national guard. Drew Galang, a spokesperson for Morrisey, said the state's national guard received the order to send equipment and personnel to DC late on Friday and was working to organize the deployment. A White House official told Reuters on Saturday that more national guard troops were being called in to Washington to 'protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime'. A protest against Trump's intervention drew scores to Dupont Circle on Saturday before a march to the White House, about 1.5 miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said, 'No fascist takeover of DC', and some in the crowd held signs saying, 'No military occupation'. Fueling the protests were concerns about Trump overreach and that he had used crime as a pretext to impose his will on Washington. The Chamberlain Network, a veterans' group that describes itself as 'dedicated to protecting democracy', commented on X that the order for West Virginia's national guard to police DC was 'pulling them away from their core mission of protecting our communities'. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select 'Secure Messaging'. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the tor network without being observed or monitored you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. 'From floods to winter storms, we count on our Guard on in a crisis,' the group said. 'They should be home, ready to respond – not on a political policing mission.' Since arriving in Washington last week, about 800 national guard troops under Trump's direct control have served as a visible presence in public areas, assigned to administrative and logistical duties as well as 'area beautification' work, according to the Wall Street Journal. Defense officials had said they would not be carrying weapons but 'weapons are available if needed but will remain in the armory,' the US army said in a press release. Related: Democrats introduce joint resolution to end Trump's 'lawless' DC takeover A US official told Reuters that a formal order authorizing the national guard troops to carry firearms would be issued but it would largely affect military police officers with sidearms. The White House also said on Saturday that national guard in DC are conducting patrols on foot and in vehicles around the national mall and Union Station, adding that the troops were not making arrests at this time. Trump has indicated that he may take similar actions in other Democratic-controlled cities. A federal judge in San Francisco is expected in the coming weeks to issue a ruling on whether Trump violated the law by deploying national guard troops to Los Angeles in June without the approval of California's governor, Gavin Newsom. Typically the national guard is deployed only in instances where a state governor requests it. However, the DC national guard reports directly to the president. Solve the daily Crossword

Cuomo campaign denies bombshell report about Trump's influence in the NYC mayoral race
Cuomo campaign denies bombshell report about Trump's influence in the NYC mayoral race

Fox News

time37 minutes ago

  • Fox News

Cuomo campaign denies bombshell report about Trump's influence in the NYC mayoral race

Despite a report to the contrary, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that they aren't expecting help from anyone in the race for Gracie Mansion, including former President Donald Trump, despite a report to the contrary. POLITICO's New York Playbook reported that Cuomo is "counting on" Trump to urge Republicans to vote for the former governor instead of the Republican nominee, Curtis Sliwa, in this November's mayoral election. According to audio obtained by the outlet, Cuomo told a Hamptons crowd on Saturday that Sliwa isn't a "serious candidate" and Trump himself would say, "you'll be wasting your vote on Sliwa." When reached for comment regarding the report, Cuomo's senior advisor, Rich Azzopardi, explained that Cuomo was responding to "what he heard to be a hypothetical about how it could become a two-person race and was speculating." Cuomo is New York City's "only chance" of defeating the Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, the Cuomo campaign doubled down on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Sliwa has distanced himself from the president, maintaining that it wouldn't be helpful for Trump to intervene in New York City's mayoral race, after The New York Times' report that Trump has been speaking with Cuomo and his associates about how to defeat Mamdani in November. Trump and Cuomo have both denied the phone call ever happened, and the former governor said he wouldn't accept a Trump endorsement. The Republican nominee told Fox News Digital on Tuesday morning that Cuomo's campaign is "a mess," and said, "desperate people do desperate things." "It's just sad that Andrew Cuomo thinks a Trump headline will save him," Sliwa said in a statement. And Sliwa trolled Cuomo, arguing that "if he actually left the Hamptons," he would see the impact of his policies on New Yorkers," tying crime to his "disastrous no-bail law" and his controversial COVID-19 policies. Speaking to reporters at a campaign event in Manhattan on Monday, Cuomo confirmed that he attended the fundraiser at media mogul Jimmy Finkelstein's home in Southampton on Saturday. But Cuomo denied that during the fundraiser, he discussed Trump with former NYC City Council President, Andrew Stein, who co-hosted the event in the Hamptons. "Let's put it this way: I knew the president very well," Cuomo said in the Hamptons, according to POLITICO, before adding, "I believe there will be opportunities to actually cooperate with him. I also believe that he's not going to want to fight with me in New York if he can avoid it." The comments followed Mamdani's week-long anti-Trump tour across New York City's Five Boroughs. Day by day, the self-described Democratic socialist spotlighted how Trump's sweeping second-term agenda is impacting New Yorkers, as he worked to tie Cuomo to Trump. The Mamdani campaign seized on the latest reporting, releasing a statement on Tuesday morning, arguing that "Andrew Cuomo has been caught red-handed." "Since he's too afraid to say it to New Yorkers' faces, we'll make it clear: Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump's choice for mayor," Mamdani campaign spokeswoman, Dora Pekec, said. Cuomo's campaign was quick to respond, calling it "silly." "Mamdani is clearly trying to deflect from answering questions" about his own record, including his support for decriminalizing prostitution, for which Cuomo held a press conference criticizing on Monday. Mamdani has said he would be Trump's "worst nightmare" if elected in November. Trump has repeatedly criticized Mamdani, calling him a "100% Communist Lunatic." The White House has dismissed the idea that Trump is planning to get involved in the race. "As President Trump has repeatedly stated, he has no intention of getting involved or making an endorsement in the New York City mayoral race," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital in a statement. Cuomo lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani in June but decided to stay in the race as an independent candidate. In the closing weeks ahead of New York City's Democratic Party mayoral primary, as he appeared to be cruising toward capturing his party's nomination, Cuomo focused his campaign's spotlight on Trump. "Trump's coming for New York. Who do you think can stop him?" the narrator in a Cuomo campaign ad said over images of the June rioting in Los Angeles sparked by Trump's immigration crackdown. "Trump's at the city gates. We need someone experienced to slam them shut," the narrator said, as he suggested that Cuomo was the most experienced candidate to push back against the president's agenda. Cuomo pledged, if elected mayor, to protect New York City from what he suggested could be a possible future federal crackdown against immigration protests in the city. And he vowed to mount a national campaign to try and thwart Trump's agenda. But Mamdani's stunning victory over Cuomo and nine other candidates last month to capture the Democratic Party nomination rocked the race for mayor in the nation's most populous city. And as Cuomo resets as he runs in the mayoral general election as an independent candidate, references to Trump have plummeted. Adams is also running as an independent candidate. Particularly on immigration, the incumbent mayor has developed a relationship with Trump. "I helped him out a little bit," Trump admitted last month, referencing his Justice Department dropping corruption charges against the mayor earlier this year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store