R.I. expecting competitive race for lieutenant governor
While attention has focused on whether
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Former state Senator Cynthia Coyne has already
A number of other people are considering jumping into the race, including Providence City Council member
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Joe Fleming, a veteran pollster and analyst for WPRI, said the latest polling and fundraising numbers indicate Matos 'could have a serious problem.' He said he's surprised she does not have more campaign cash at this point, 'knowing she would face serious competition.'
Fleming said her high disapproval numbers likely reflect publicity about the
'I would think candidates are looking at that race seriously, believing she is a target,' he said.
But her polling numbers among Democrats show 'that in a primary, she may not be quite as weak as people might think,' Fleming said. 'In a multi-candidate race, she is in a much better position, but she needs to raise money to get her message out.'
Katie Langford Sonder, who crafted the Salve poll as associate director and fellow at the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, said the latest poll showed lower approval ratings for most of Rhode Island's top elected Democrats, not just Matos. She said Democratic voters are looking for stronger responses to what they consider an 'onslaught of bad news' from the Trump administration.
But Sonder said Matos' support among Democratic voters 'is actually very good' when compared to other top officials such as McKee, who had a minus-2 net approval rating among Democrats compared to her plus-23 net rating.
Republicans have sharply different views, with just 7 percent approving of Matos' job performance and 76 disapproving (for a minus-70 net approval). And 13 percent of unaffiliated voters approve of the job she's doing, while 57 percent disapprove (for a minus-44 net approval).
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Here's a closer look at the two candidates in the race:
Sabina Matos
, 51, a Providence Democrat, moved to the US from the Dominican Republic in 1994 and graduated from Rhode Island College. She was elected to the Providence City Council in 2010 and became Providence's first Latina City Council president.
In 2021,
When asked to name two specific accomplishments, Matos said she advocated for providing
Matos' campaign account contains $14,611.
Cindy Coyne
, 63, a Barrington Democrat, was born in Pawtucket and attended the University of Rhode Island on an athletic scholarship for swimming. She was among the first women to graduate from the State Police Training Academy and served as a State Trooper for more than 20 years, becoming a lieutenant.
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Former state Senator Cynthia "Cindy" Coyne, a Barrington Democrat, is running for lieutenant governor.
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Coyne served as a Barrington Town Council member from 2010 to 2014. And she served in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 after becoming the first Democrat to win the seat representing Barrington in more than 100 years. She chaired the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee.
In citing two accomplishments, Coyne noted she championed a law that now bans '
Campaign funds: $60,713.
Here's a brief look at those who said they're considering entering the race:
Sue AnderBois
, 42, a Providence Democrat, was elected to the Providence City Council in 2024, representing Ward 3. She created and chairs the task force working to make North Main Street safer. She works as the Northeast division director of climate and energy at The Nature Conservancy. She was the state director of food strategy, or 'food czar,' under former Governor Gina M. Raimondo.
Providence City Council member Sue AnderBois.
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AnderBois said the lieutenant governor's post would offer the opportunity to have a larger impact on key issues such as climate change, transit, and high energy costs.
Campaign funds: $19,445
Lou DiPalma
, 64, a Middletown Democrat, was elected to the Senate in 2008 and now chairs Senate Finance Committee. He sponsored legislation that
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Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat.
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DiPalma said she is 'leaning toward' running for reelection to the Senate but 'still exploring the possibility' of running for lieutenant governor.
Campaign funds: $113,907
Stephen Casey
, 56, a Woonsocket Democrat, has represented House District 50 after being elected in 2012, and chairs the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee. He has been a Woonsocket firefighter for 20 years. He ran for the First Congressional District seat in 2023, finishing fifth in the Democratic primary, just behind Matos.
Rhode Island state Representative Stephen M. Casey, a Woonsocket Democrat.
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When asked about the lieutenant governor's race, Casey said, 'I would certainly consider it and keep all my options open.'
Campaign funds: $17,134.
Maria Rivera
, 48, a Central Falls Democrat,
Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera.
Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
Rivera said she has not ruled out running for lieutenant governor. 'It is still a possibility,'
Campaign funds: $54,982.
Kenneth J. Hopkins
, 70, a Cranston Republican,
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Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins
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Hopkins said he is 'keeping all options open at this point,' including the lieutenant governor's post.
Campaign funds: $11,130.
Aaron Guckian
, 49, of East Greenwich, ran for lieutenant governor in 2022 and now works as executive director of the Rhode Island Dental Association. He previously worked as a development officer for the Rhode Island Foundation, and as special assistant to former Republican Governor Donald L. Carcieri.
Aaron Guckian, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island in 2022.
Handout
Guckian said he is considering running for governor, lieutenant governor, or treasurer. He noted he won the cities of Warwick and Cranston in the 2022 race against Matos. 'I am definitely looking at running again,' he said.
Campaign funds: $2,176.
Bill Bartholomew
, 41, of Providence, is a
Bill Bartholomew, podcaster and radio host.
Handout
Bartholomew said he would run as a Democrat. He said he has not taken any formal steps to launch his campaign. But, he said, 'I'm definitely still considering it.'
Campaign funds: None reported.
Attorney General
Peter F. Neronha
and Pawtucket Mayor
Donald R. Grebien
have been mentioned as possible candidates, but they both said they are not planning to run for lieutenant governor.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
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