Campaign 2018: General Assembly primaries showdown for progressives and centrists

Sept. 09--Two years ago, the upset of House Majority Leader John DeSimone at the hands of a left-leaning challenger sent a jolt of electricity through the General Assembly's progressive bloc, which has waged a building insurgency against centrist Democratic leaders in recent years.

They hope lightning will strike again in Wednesday's Democratic General Assembly primaries, but must also play defense this year, as the party establishment has fought back.

Indeed, while another majority leader -- this time Sen. Michael McCaffrey -- faces a primary challenge from a progressive candidate, more attention has gone to whether 2016's surprise winners can hold their seats against leadership-backed opponents.

If progressives do pick up more seats, it could make it more difficult for House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, should he keep his seat in November, to control the agenda. Or it could push the Senate even further to the left.

In total, there are 33 contested General Assembly primaries across the state, all but three of them on the Democratic side.

The primaries will also start to answer whether the record number of female candidates running this year will translate into more female lawmakers.

With few GOP primaries, conservatives registered as independents could influence the Democratic races as some activists have urged them to help put down progressive campaigns before the general election.

Races to watch:

House District 3 in Providence (D)

Moira Walsh vs. Michael Earnheart

You know the story: Outspoken freshman lawmaker with an activist background spars with leadership and says she's surprised by all the drinking on Smith Hill. She's greeted by a state-party backed challenger who voted for President Donald Trump.

While the Democratic Party later rescinded its endorsement of Earnheart, Mattiello, whom Walsh has been bashing this summer, stood by him.

It's unclear how Earnheart's background will play in this heavily Democratic urban district, but he has won the financial support of the politically influential auto-body industry.

House District 5 in Providence (D)

Marcia Ranglin-Vassell vs. Holly Taylor Coolman

This battle of educators has been cast as a proxy fight between arbortion-rights progressives and anti-abortion centrists, with Ranglin-Vassell on the left and Coolman on the right.

Ranglin-Vassell is the Providence public school teacher who knocked off DeSimone two years ago with the help of the labor-backed Working Families Party and has become a leading advocate for gun control.

Coolman, a Providence College associate professor of theology and the party-endorsed candidate in the race, has campaigned on improving the state's education and social-service systems, particularly for foster families.

Senate District 29 in Warwick (D)

Michael McCaffrey vs. Jennifer Rourke

The best chance for a huge primary upset is in eastern Warwick, where 24-year incumbent McCaffrey, a top lieutenant to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, faces a challenge from mom and homemaker Rourke.

Rourke has won backing from the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, Planned Parenthood Votes and the Bernie Sanders-inspired Our Revolution RI.

McCaffrey is backed by the state party and endorsed by Rhode Island Right to Life, teachers and construction unions.

House District 68 in Bristol and Warren (D)

Andrew Tyska vs. Laufton Ascencao

Ascencao was set to challenge Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ken Marshall before the incumbent and key Mattiello ally decided not to run.

But the opportunity of an open seat brought in Bristol Town Council member Tyska and set up what is expected to be a tight race.

A political and community organizer, Ascencao is vice president of the Young Democrats of Rhode Island, aligned with the Working Families Party and endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes.

Tyska is president of Bristol Marine and has the Democratic party endorsement from a district committee set up by Marshall.

House District 13 in Providence and Johnston (D)

Roman Perez vs. Mario Mendez

Former Rep. John Carnevale's shadow still looms over the district. Even after resigning two years ago over allegations that he didn't live in the district, Carnevale came back into this year's race briefly before pleading no contest to perjury and being removed from the ballot.

Although Perez is the incumbent, and is backed by Mattiello and R.I. Right to Life, Carnevale was the endorsed candidate.

Perez took advantage of Carnevale's legal trouble to win the seat in 2016, but he has had his own controversies, including inadvertently distributing pornography to the House Finance Committee.

Newcomer Mendez has Working Families Party backing and a Planned Parenthood endorsement.

House District 66 in Barrington and East Providence (D)

John Chung vs. Liana Cassar

The retirement of Rep. Joy Hearn pits progressive favorite Cassar versus Chung, a Roger Williams University law professor.

Both live in Barrington and support abortion rights and gun control.

Cassar is endorsed by the state party, Planned Parenthood and the Working Families Party.

Chung's endorsements include the Rhode Island Association of Firefighters, International Brotherhood of Police Officers and U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-California. Schiff and Chung went to law school together.

Senate District 23 in Burrillville, Glocester and North Smithfield

John Pacheco III vs. Jessica De La Cruz (R)

The departure of Sen. Paul Fogarty has opened the door for contested primaries for both the Democratic and Republican -- yes, Republican -- nominations.

Pacheco is the president of the Burrillville Town Council, which has been fighting the proposed Invenergy power plant.

Newcomer De La Cruz, of North Smithfield, has reportedly been working hard in the district raising her profile. She also opposes the power plant.

Kevin Heitke vs. Paul Roselli (D)

Four months ago, Roselli was running for governor with a message built around opposition to the Invenergy plant, but exited the crowded Democratic primary field for a state Senate run. He's backed by the Progressive Democrats, Climate Action RI and Working Families.

Heitke is a lawyer, former town councilman and municipal court judge and the party's endorsed candidate in the race. He is also backed by the National Education Association of Rhode Island.

Senate District 5 in Providence (D)

Paul Jabour vs. Nick Autiello vs. Sam Bell

Incumbent Jabour faces two young challengers to hold the seat he's had since 2006, which could work in his favor if they split opposition to him.

Bell is the scientist and former Rhode Island Progressive Democrats leader who successfully challenged NRA PAC spending at the Board of Elections.

Autiello, who works for Gov. Gina Raimondo's Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, is endorsed by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the building trades.

Senate District 30 in Warwick (D)

Jeanine Calkin vs. Mark McKenney

Calkin rode the Bernie Sanders wave in 2016 to a surprise victory over incumbent William Walaska and now has to defend the seat against lawyer McKenney, an old friend of Walaska's.

Senate District 35 in East Greenwich, North Kingstown, South Kingstown and Narragansett (D)

Bridget Valverde vs. Gregory Acciardo

Former state Senator Acciardo is battling a history of legal trouble as well as his progressive opponent.

After losing a 1992 reelection campaign, Acciardo faced charges of drunken driving, domestic violence and harboring burglars before his return to politics. He was briefly endorsed by the Democratic Party this year before the endorsement was withdrawn.

Valverde is vice chairwoman of the Democratic Party Women's Caucus and was among those advocating for gun control at the State House last session and is now running for office.

House District 9 in Providence (D)

Anastasia Williams vs. Dwayne Keys

Williams has become one of the great survivors on Smith Hill since first being elected to the House in 1992. After a tough reelection campaign two years ago, she faces community activist and South Providence Neighborhood Association President Keys.

Two more interesting contests see Sen. James Sheehan looking to fend off challenger Alana DiMario in Narragansett and North Kingstown, and Rep. Daniel McKiernan taking on challenger Belen Florez after Florez received the district party endorsement in Providence.

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