Rhode Island Democratic Committee
Encyclopedia
The Rhode Island Democratic Committee is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party
in the state of Rhode Island
. Edwin R. Pacheco
is the chairman of the Party.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in the state of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Edwin R. Pacheco
Edwin R. Pacheco
Edwin R. Pacheco is a former Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing the 47th District since 2005. During his tenure sessions, he served on the House Committees on Corporations, Municipal Government, Oversight and Separation of Powers...
is the chairman of the Party.
Democratic Party dominance in Rhode Island
For nearly five decades, Rhode Island has been one of the nation's most solidly Democratic states. Since 1928, it has voted for the Republican presidential candidate only four times. Also, has elected only one Republican (former Governor John H. Chafee) to the U.S. Senate since 1934, sent no Republicans to the U.S. House from 1940 until 1980, when one Republican and one Democrat were elected. Also in 1980, Rhode Island was one of only six states to favor Jimmy Carter. However, in 1984, Republican Edward DiPrete was elected governor and Ronald Regan narrowly carried the state in the presidential election. In the 2000 presidential election, Democrat Al Gore won 61% of the popular vote. Although, an analysis of Gallup polling data shows the Democratic advantage over the Republican Party in Rhode Island voters has plunged over the last two years. The Democratic advantage over the Republican Party in Rhode Isalnd slid from 37 percentage points in 2008 to 16 points this year, according to Gallup. Rhode Island has gone from being the most Democratic state in the country in 2008 to the 7th most Democratic now.Statewide offices
- Lieutenant Governor: Elizabeth H. RobertsElizabeth H. RobertsElizabeth H. Roberts is currently the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Rhode Island. She has served under Republican Governor Donald Carcieri and Independent Lincoln Chafee. She was elected as a Democrat in 2006, becoming the state's first female Lieutenant Governor.Roberts was born April 17,...
- Secretary of State: A. Ralph MollisA. Ralph MollisA. Ralph Mollis is the current Secretary of State of Rhode Island. A member of the Democratic Party, he assumed office on January 1, 2007.-Career:Mollis attended St...
- Attorney General: Peter KilmartinPeter KilmartinPeter F. Kilmartin is an American attorney and currently Attorney General of Rhode Island. Kilmartin is a retired police captain and formerly a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.-Biography:...
- General Treasurer: Gina Raimondo
State Legislature
- Senate PresidentRhode Island SenateThe Rhode Island Senate is the upper house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 38 Senators, each of whom is elected to a two-year term. Rhode Island is one of the 14 states where its upper house serves at a two-year...
: M. Teresa Paiva-WeedM. Teresa Paiva-WeedM. Teresa Paiva-Weed is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island Senate, representing the 13th District since 2002 and the 49th District from 1992 to 2002. In November 2008, she was elected President of the Senate... - House SpeakerRhode Island House of RepresentativesThe Rhode Island House of Representatives is the lower house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 75 members, elected to two year terms from 75 districts of equal population. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have...
: Gordon D. FoxGordon D. FoxGordon D. Fox is an American politician from Providence, Rhode Island and the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. A Democrat, he was first elected to the legislature in 1992 and was elected speaker on February 11, 2010.... - House Majority LeaderRhode Island House of RepresentativesThe Rhode Island House of Representatives is the lower house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 75 members, elected to two year terms from 75 districts of equal population. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have...
: Nicholas Mattiello
Party leadership and staff
The Rhode Island Democratic Party leadership as of 2011 is as follows.State committee officers
- Chairman: Edwin Pacheco
- Vice Chairman: Rep. Grace Diaz
- 2nd Vice Chairman: Joseph DeLorenzo
- 3rd Vice Chairman: Rep. Elaine Coderre
- Secretary: Rep. Arthur Corvese
- Corresponding Secretary: Allene Maynard
- Recording Secretary: Milton Bronstein
- Treasurer: Jeff Padwa
- Assistant Treasurer: Marcia Reback
National Committee Persons
- National Committeeman: Frank Montanaro Sr.
- National Committeewomen: Edna O'Neill Mattson
Representative in Congress District 1
- Patrick J. Kennedy (Dem) 68.6%
- Jonathon P. Scott (Rep) 24.3%
Representative in Congress District 2
- James R. Langevin (Dem) 70.1%
- Mark S. Zaccaria (Rep) 29.9%
Representative in Congress District 1
- Patrick J. Kennedy (Dem) 64.1%
- David W. Rogers (Rep) 35.8%
Representative in Congress District 2
- James R. Langevin (Dem) 74.5%
- Arthur Chuck Barton III (Rep) 20.8%
Voter I.D. Law
In July 2011, the Rhode Island Legislature, which is composed mostly of Democrats, signed a voter I.D. law. A number of states this year have passed similar voter I.D. laws, all which were backed by Republicans. Rhode Island state Representative Jon Brein, the Democratic sponsor of the legislation, stated "I think that party leaders have tried to make this a Republican versus Democrat issue. It's not. It's simply a good government issue. We as representatives have a duty to the citizenry to ensure the integrity of our elections, and the requirement to show an I.D. will ensure that integrity. " Rhode Island Democrat Senator Harold Metts who sponsored the voter I.D. legislation in the state senate said, "As a minority citizen and a senior citizen I would not support anything that I thought would present obstacles or limit protections."Marriage equality
On March 24, 2011, Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Ed Pacheco issued the following statement reiterating his support of marriage equality in the State of Rhode Island:- “I have always felt, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, that all Americans are entitled to the full protection, benefits and resources of marriage under law. More so than that, all couples who choose to enter into the union of marriage, deserve to honor their love and commitment to each other, to their families and to the communities in which they live with the full institution and benefits of marriage.
- “To deny any individual the rights and privileges of marriage based on their sexual orientation is to deny them the dignity, fairness and freedom to live their lives fully and free from anxiety – anxiety that can be avoided by ensuring marriage equality in Rhode Island. Anything less is less than equal. We take great pride in the protection of freedoms in this country and it is time for Rhode Island to stand up for our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family in the LGBT community and pass marriage equality legislation. It’s just time.”