Politics of Rhode Island

2759:, to whom Chafee has been a political ally, refused to endorse a candidate, and Caprio publicly told the President of the United States to "take his endorsement and really shove it." Caprio's remark hurt his campaign such that, despite being a Democrat in a heavily Democratic state, he ultimately placed third with just 23% of the vote. Chafee won the race with 36%, just about 2.5 percentage points more than Robitaille, while Block earned 6.5%, enough to gain major party status for the Moderate Party. Chafee became Rhode Island's first independent governor since the 18th century. He also immediately proved to be a very unpopular governor, as 64% of Rhode Islanders voted for someone else. Chafee's approval ratings fell further when he proposed a variety of tax increases, and he stirred up national controversy when he stood by his decision to refer to the annual State House Christmas tree as a "Holiday Tree" in the name of 5275: 5902: 3072: 2905: 1902:. Although the former members of the People's Party attempted to oppose the Law and Order Party's candidates in the 1843 elections, the Law and Order Party took all major offices in these elections, and their new constitution was adopted in May. Encouraged by the new constitution's expanded suffrage, Dorr returned to the state, but was captured by King and tried and convicted of treason. However, public protests resulted in Dorr's pardon by Governor 2859:, who, as a U.S. Attorney, oversaw the investigation that led to Cianci's racketeering charges and eventual conviction in 2002. Even the Republican nominee for Mayor, Dan Harrop, urged citizens to vote for his Democratic opponent Elorza, citing concerns that Cianci would not have the city's best interests at heart. Ultimately, Elorza proved victorious by a margin of 53–44% over Cianci. It was the first election that Cianci has ever lost. 2478: 2669:, Republicans held the Rhode Island governorship for the longest period of time (16 years) since the 19th century. Gov. Almond prioritized health care, making significant expansions to the public children's health care program Rite Care and making Rhode Island among the states with the highest percentage of people having health insurance. Almond was also instrumental in the creation of the 1874:, a Charterite, refused to recognize the results of the referendums, resulting in the holding of two elections that April: one set up by the People's Party, which elected Dorr as governor, and another set up by the Law and Order Party, which re-elected King. King and Dorr essentially served as governors concurrently after this election. King declared 2169:, another Democratic governor during Rhode Island's Republican Era. Higgins greatly opposed Brayton's lobbying, claiming Brayton was paid by railroad and telephone companies to lobby their special interests. Brayton did not deny this, but said that he never lobbied against the interests of the Republican Party to favor a corporation's interest. 2284:. The most notable of these was former Governor Green, who successfully ran for Senate in 1936, and served there until 1960, finally retiring in ill health at age 93, the oldest Congressman in history at the time. Green was known as "the President's man", as a strong supporter of Democratic Presidents, and one of Republican President 2693:

of February 2003. Carcieri's governorship was characterized by conflicts with the General Assembly and organized labor, as Carcieri often attacked the state government's expansive welfare programs and history of corruption but could do little to enact changes due to the Democrat-controlled Assembly's

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veteran and a member of the state's "economic elite", Brayton was easily supported by the majority of Rhode Islanders, and is credited with helping many candidates into office, including Sen. Aldrich, who would later become one of the most prominent U.S. Senators. Brayton rose to political prominence

1882:

to send federal soldiers to Rhode Island to resolve the issue, but Tyler, feeling that the threat of violence was "hourly diminishing", refused. Without the threat of federal interference, Dorr's government mounted an attack upon the Providence Arsenal on May 19, 1842. Charterite defenders, including

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scandal involving a private detective he had hired to search for election fraud. The scandal cost him his re-election chances, and many Republicans elected in 1938 were defeated by Democratic challengers in 1940; Democrats also regained a majority in both houses of the General Assembly, and have not

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In 1841, Rhode Island was the last state to still require ownership of property to vote in its elections, as it was still governed by the provisions of its original colonial charter of 1663, which restricted voting rights to landowning white men and their eldest sons. About 60% of Rhode Island adult

2056:

victory, was offered a commission as Brigadier General, which he refused, opting to remain Governor of Rhode Island. Sprague went on to serve 2 six-year terms as a Senator from Rhode Island after retiring from the Governor's post in 1863. Burnside also became a Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to

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attempt to return to politics. The race was seen by many as a referendum on Cianci's legacy, with supporters pointing to the improved infrastructure, city parks, arts scene, and other gains associated with the city's "Renaissance" during Cianci's time as Mayor, while detractors pointed to Cianci's

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elections in 1934, 2 seats were contested, both held by Republicans, but Democratic victories in these districts would create a Democratic Party majority in the Senate. Lt. Gov. Robert Quinn, assigned to preside over seating the newly elected State Senators, refused to seat the Republicans who had

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in 2009 to advocate for meaningful political, economic, and educational reform. The Moderate Party's founding involved a court battle for official recognition that ended in the overturning of several laws that made it much easier for third-party and independent candidates to gain ballot access in

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defeated Chafee by a margin of 53.5–46.5% in an election that was part of a national swing to a Democratic majority in both houses of the U.S. Congress. Chafee, one of the most left-of-center Senators at the time, later admitted that his loss to Whitehouse was good for the country since it helped

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won 9%). Beginning with York's loss in 1994, Democrats would go on to lose five consecutive gubernatorial elections, despite maintaining their supermajorities in both houses of the General Assembly and Rhode Island's 4 electoral votes always going to Democratic candidates in Presidential election

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McGrath and Pastore were two of many Democrats who served lengthy amounts of time in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives during their time. Between 1941 and 1976, Rhode Island sent only 11 different people to the U.S. Congress, all of them Democrats, including Pastore, McGrath, and Green.

2165:, which was reliably a Republican majority. The "Brayton Act" was a major hindrance to Democratic reformers such as Governor Garvin after its passage, and would continue to hinder gubernatorial power until Democrats gained a State Senate majority in 1935. Brayton also had a political rivalry with 2429:

in the Democratic primary election. Senator Pell was considered eccentric by D.C. politicians due to his insistence on using only public transportation and low-cost automobiles, and supposed paranormal beliefs, and was often considered the least electable politician in Washington; however, Rhode

2645:, and more. The work of the Cianci and Sundlun administrations launched what became known as the city of Providence's "Renaissance" period in which infrastructure, the arts, and the economy were all booming. Sundlun was the last Rhode Island governor to be elected to 2-year terms; beginning in 2345:

became the first Italian-American governor in U.S. history, and would later become the first Italian-American U.S. Senator. As governor, Pastore enacted Rhode Island's first sales taxes, corporate income taxes, and primary election laws. Pastore retired from his post as governor upon winning a

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won the election to succeed Cicilline as Mayor in a landslide. Shortly after taking office in 2011, Taveras discovered that he had inherited over $ 180 million in debt that Cicilline had largely hidden from the public through what was described by Providence City Council Finance Chairman John

2843:, a blog, and organizing charity fundraisers, Healey's "guerrilla campaign" stunned pundits and pollsters by winning 22% of the vote and even winning pluralities in a few towns. Ultimately, however, Raimondo defeated Fung to become Rhode Island's first female governor by a margin of 40–36%. 2024:

became strong in Rhode Island during the early 1860s. Across the country, many conservative former Whigs and Know-Nothings, unsatisfied with the secessionists in the national Democratic Party, became Unionists, and nominated Unionist candidates at their state conventions. Both Rhode Island

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After failed attempts to change the system from within, the Dorrites held a convention for the newly formed "People's Party", which drafted a new constitution that enfranchised all white men after one year's residence. Meanwhile, General Assembly members who supported the charter, known as

1867:", drafted a constitution that made concessions to the People's Party, but two referendums held later that year determined that a majority of voters approved of the People's Party constitution, but disapproved of the Law and Order Party's constitution by a narrow margin. 2787:

Igliozzi as "illusory revenue, borrowing and other tricks." Cicilline's approval ratings just a few months after winning federal office went below 20% as the vast majority of voters blamed Cicilline for the city's financial woes, which ultimately required controversial

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more difficult, and orphanages were regulated by the state. However, Davis was defeated in his 1888 and 1889 gubernatorial bids, but Davis returned to the governorship for another one-year term in 1890. Another popular Democrat during Rhode Island's Republican Era was

2839:, who had previously run for governor or lieutenant governor 6 times on the platform of his own "Cool Moose Party," was announced as the substitute nominee with less than 2 months until election day. Spending less than $ 40 in total and campaigning mostly through 2806:

In 2014, Governor Chafee, having officially joined the Democratic Party in 2013 and facing massive unpopularity and likely primary challengers, chose not to run for reelection. The primaries in both parties were hotly contested: on the Democratic side,

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was elected after Governor Garrahy's retirement and went on to serve 3 terms as governor despite the Democrats consistently holding over 85% of Assembly seats. However, DiPrete was widely suspected of corruption (and would later do time in prison for

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Meanwhile, the Chafees' tenure in the U.S. Senate corresponded to some return to Republicans holding major state offices in Rhode Island, although the Democrats always held their majority in both houses of the General Assembly. In 1984, Republican

1953:

In the late 1840s and early 1850s, the nationally declining Whig Party became diminished in Rhode Island, while the Law and Order Party dissolved, and most of its members returned to their pre-Dorr Rebellion allegiances to the Whigs or Democrats.

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history of violent, criminal behavior and frank, less-than-remorseful admissions to using "public power for personal reasons." In a rare move into municipal politics, President Obama publicly endorsed Cianci's little-known Democratic challenger,

1854:

was the leader of a group known as the Rhode Island Suffrage Association (or "Dorrites") that attempted to amend or replace the charter with a new constitution extending suffrage to all white men, but efforts to do so consistently failed in the

1466:, has remained competitive in gubernatorial elections, having won one as recently as 2006. Until 2014, Democrats had not won a gubernatorial election in the state since 1992, and it was not until 2018 that they won one by double digits. The 2702:

civil rights issues. The latter position was particularly controversial with Rhode Islanders; the year of Carcieri's first election, 2002, was also the year that Providence elected the first openly homosexual mayor of a U.S. state capital,

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and eventual governor, serving two one-year terms. However, a Republican-controlled legislature prevented most of Garvin's reform-minded programs from passing. Garvin was considered for the Democratic nomination for U.S. president in 1904.

2542:. Chafee had previously served three two-year terms as governor in the 1960s; his administration was celebrated for championing public transportation and environmental conservation, but ended in a surprise reelection loss to Democrat 2048:) believed that the war would be over rather quickly and easily in the Union's favor, and chose to lead the Rhode Island brigade to Virginia to oversee what he expected to be a Union victory. There, he participated in the 2873:(50% to Biden's 49%), who comprised 52% of the electorate, the most of any state. Catholics were once a reliable Democratic constituency, but have become competitive in recent elections due to their social conservatism. 4288:"BRAYTON, THE BLIND BOSS OF RHODE ISLAND; Downfall of Republican Leader in Smallest New England State Ends a Picturesque Personality. In Ways That Resemble Those for Which "Old Hickory" Was Famous He Has Been Sustained" 3140:

A party briefly created in the Rhode Island Voting Crisis, leading to the Dorr Rebellion. The party was founded by Thomas Dorr, as an alternative to the old-guard legislature which enforced strict voting restrictions.

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claimed re-election to those two seats. Green demanded a recount on January 1, 1935, and the recount determined that the Democratic candidates in both districts had won by narrow margins. This has become known as the "

1914:

After the Dorr Rebellion ended, the Law and Order Party shared power with the Whigs for the remainder of the 1840s, until the former dissolved and the latter fell from power in Rhode Island. The Law and Order Party's

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In 1912, President Taft's reelection campaign was the first Republican campaign to not receive Rhode Island's electoral votes, despite the fact that he was a 5th cousin of former Governor Royal C. Taft. Democrat

2649:, governors (and all other state offices) would be elected for 4-year terms and limited to two such terms. In a surprising upset, Gov. Sundlun lost the 1994 Democratic primary to strongly liberal State Senator 2115:

amendment to the State Constitution was passed by the state legislature but not accepted by the state's male voters in an April 6, 1887 referendum. Also during Davis' first term, the current boundary line with

2629:(who would also later do time in prison for "racketeering conspiracy", i.e. running the city of Providence as a criminal enterprise) to support the building of or improvement of key infrastructure such as the 2211:

summarily defeated Case in 1932. The Depression is generally cited as the primary reason for the fall of Republicans in Rhode Island, transitioning to a period of Democratic dominance which continues today.

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due to the collapse of the RI Share and Deposit Indemnity Corporation (RISDIC) under DiPrete. Sundlun became a champion of improving infrastructure and tourism, working across the aisle with controversial

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and defeated Democrat Richard Lorber 58–42%. Sen. Chafee broke with his own party on many issues, most notably on environmental issues, which Chafee made his main concern as a senator. Chafee authored the

2100:, and authorized the establishment of the state's first industrial school for impoverished children, in an effort to update the state's education system to keep in time with manufacturing developments. 1687:

eventually became the dominant party in Rhode Island. Rhode Island gave its electoral votes in most Presidential elections to the Federalist candidate during this era. Meanwhile, Federalist Senator

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was appointed to replace his father; the elder Chafee had already announced his plans to retire at the end of his term and the younger Chafee had already announced his plans to run to succeed him.

2459: 1458:, and the state is considered part of the Democrats' "Blue Wall." Democrats have won all but four presidential elections since 1928, with the exceptions being 1952, 1956, 1972, and 1984. The 4256:"SHERIFF DEFIES GOVERNOR'S ORDER; White Will Not Oust Gen. Brayton, and Says Higgins Is Insolent. A QUESTION OF LOBBYING; Rhode Island Executive Declares the General Is Notoriously Corrupt" 3738: 1649:, however, support grew for the Constitution in Rhode Island. Rhode Island became the last of the original 13 states to ratify the Constitution in 1790 by only 2 votes, after Gov. 1645:

described Rhode Island as ruled by "wickedness and folly" in which "All sense of character as well as of right have been obliterated." After the insurance of the inclusion of a

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after Chafee both reversed his anti-income tax stance and had to lessen his campaign efforts due to family matters. Chafee first ran for the U.S. Senate as a challenger Sen.

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by tampering with the regular redrawing of district lines to ensure his own reelection in 2012, which, despite the controversies, Cicilline did win with 53% of the vote.

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Island would ultimately reelect him to the Senate five times. Sen. Pell is best remembered as the creator of "Basic Educational Opportunity Grants" in 1973 (now known as

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special election to replace McGrath in the U.S. Senate, where Pastore would serve until 1976, where he was famously involved in a 1969 Senate hearing on the funding of

4203: 5440: 4319: 2966:. The Moderate Party of Rhode Island gained official party status and ballot access via a federal lawsuit and the gathering of 34,000 signatures on August 18, 2009. 2463: 5234: 4104: 1974:

were briefly co-dominant parties in Rhode Island. From 1851 to 1853, Rhode Island had an all-Democrat set of executive offices for the first time, led by Governor

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for eight years later in his tenure. Having served for 36 years upon his retirement, Claiborne Pell is the longest-serving U.S. Senator in Rhode Island history.

2268:, was elected into office, including retaking control of both houses of the General Assembly. However, in 1939, Vanderbilt's support was seriously weakened by a 2398:

office for about a week to manage the crisis and maintain order. Perhaps the most notable member of the Democratic dynasty of the 1940s–1970s, though, was Sen.

2823:(grandson of the late Sen. Pell) after unions and other liberals divided almost evenly between the 2 more liberal challengers, while on the Republican side, 2572: 3266: 3244: 4835: 2467: 4188: 4266: 5425: 3291: 2315: 2069: 1692: 2306:, first a governor after defeating incumbent Vanderbilt in 1940, also went on to serve for many years in a federal capacity. McGrath was appointed 3746: 4298: 4229: 2001:

of the 1930s. Republican dominance in Rhode Island began with the elections of several Republicans to major offices in 1857, such as Governor

4707: 1751:, Rhode Island was generally opposed to Jackson's policies and supportive of the Federalist-inspired policies of National Republican leaders 2137:

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, there was much controversy in the state political system surrounding Republican leader and

2064:

From 1863 to 1887, every governor of and U.S. Congressman from Rhode Island was a member of the Republican Party. During this time, Senator

5510: 5227: 5201: 3217: 3207: 3046: 2792: 2775: 1935: 2559:

that designated protected coastal areas that became ineligible to government development and was also instrumental to the passages of the

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give the majority to the Democrats, and Chafee later disaffiliated from the Republican Party and announced a run for governor for 2010.

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campus funded by a bond referendum passed with the Governor's support in 2000, and made major investments to improve and modernize the

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In August 2018, Tony Jones was appointed to the North Kingstown School Committee making him the first-ever Moderate in public office.

3200: 3194: 2731: 2708: 2646: 2495: 1638: 17: 2161:. Brayton campaigned heavily for the passage of laws shifting gubernatorial powers, including almost all appointment powers, to the 5346: 5191: 2331: 3824: 5435: 5220: 4678: 2530:

In his 36 years in the Senate, Claiborne Pell served alongside only two other U.S. Senators from Rhode Island: John Pastore, and

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was Governor of Rhode Island. Although he was reelected in 1930, the Depression worsened and Republican popularity lessened, and

5729: 5676: 5473: 5379: 4863: 4405: 1975: 2439: 5316: 4757: 4053: 3271: 3229: 3150: 2434:) which provide financial aid to American university students. Pell was also largely responsible for the creation of the 2246: 1864: 1673: 1650: 1498: 5500: 5468: 2978: 2550:

in 1972, but Pell held the seat by a result of 54–46%. However, Chafee ran again in 1976 to replace the retiring Sen.

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served for most of the 1830s. Rhode Island's electoral votes also backed the Presidential candidacies of Whig leaders

5926: 5300: 3022: 3011: 2764: 2670: 2517: 2579:

U.S. Senators on social issues during his time. Upon his death in October 1999, Chafee was posthumously awarded the

2288:'s strongest Democratic supporters. Green was also a civil rights leader, working closely with then–Majority Leader 5590: 5490: 5173: 4949: 3850: 2963: 2959: 2535: 2178: 2014: 1994: 1832: 1824: 1816: 1764: 1760: 1744: 1614: 1574: 1559: 47: 38: 5618: 5613: 5460: 3387: 2435: 2073: 1688: 4002: 3379: 2865:

continued the Democratic trend in Rhode Island, carrying the state by 20.8 points, or 107,564 votes. Republican

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founder Ken Block left his own party to run as a Republican, only to be defeated in the primary by conservative

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in Rhode Island in the 1890s as a chairman of the Republican State Committee, and eventually as a member of the

5837: 5832: 5531: 5290: 5134: 3083: 2941: 2916: 2835:. Without Block, the Moderate Party had nominated James Spooner for governor, but when he became severely ill, 2824: 2791:-like measures to prevent the city of Providence from declaring bankruptcy. Rep. Cicilline was also accused by 2760: 2751: 2630: 2499: 2375: 2335: 2276:

Meanwhile, many prominent Rhode Island Democrats also became nationally prominent under Democratic Presidents

5862: 5827: 5694: 5263: 5258: 4886: 2580: 2556: 2323: 2158: 2053: 1971: 1898:

in September 1842, which extended voting to all free men (of any race) who owned property or could pay a $ 1

1856: 1630: 1467: 1463: 1459: 1455: 2685:

defeated party-endorsed Jim Bennett in the Republican primary and then defeated 3rd-time Democratic nominee

5877: 5807: 5767: 5608: 5598: 5321: 5165: 5059: 3108: 2870: 2455: 2382:, Rep. Forand's successor, who was involved in passing legislation that would ultimately be blamed for the 2265: 1626: 1993:

In the late 1850s, however, much of the remaining Know-Nothings and Whigs nationally were absorbed by the

5684: 5566: 5295: 4836:"Seven Presidential Tickets to Appear on Rhode Island's 2024 State Ballot – Independent Political Report" 4287: 4255: 4175: 3463: 3256: 3130: 3033: 3000: 2617: 2261: 2257: 1947: 1924: 1724: 1665: 52: 3708: 3491: 5882: 5822: 5817: 5747: 5450: 5372: 5181: 5099: 5064: 3261: 3161: 2846:

Meanwhile, the election to replace Taveras as Mayor of Providence saw former Mayor and convicted felon

2690: 2678: 2576: 1963: 1776: 1696: 42: 2421:. Pell was first elected in 1960 upon the retirement of T. F. Green, after defeating both former Gov. 2310:

by Truman in October 1945, and served there for one year, before resigning to become a senator in the

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became the first in a familial line of several prominent Rhode Island politicians, dating to Governor

5752: 5603: 5139: 5044: 5004: 3948: 3681: 3659: 3637: 3539: 3517: 2888:. Many urban areas still have a high rate of children in poverty. Due to an influx of residents from 2568: 1979: 1920: 1895: 1748: 1661: 5857: 5842: 5812: 5762: 5737: 5719: 5709: 5561: 5526: 5402: 5104: 5089: 5069: 4578: 4553: 4453:"Governor of Rhode Island testifies before Senate Wire Tapping committee. Washington, D.C., May 28" 4427: 4233: 4149: 4027: 3977: 3586: 3561: 2622: 2414: 2395: 2367: 2293: 2130: 2104: 2049: 1983: 1943: 1899: 1708: 3408: 2722:

lost the seat that had been held by him or his father for 30 years. Former State Attorney General

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ability to override his vetoes. The Assembly also overrode Carcieri's vetoes of bills to legalize

2220:

In the 1932 and 1934 elections, Democrats officially swept Republicans out of power in the state.

1894:

Despite their victory, the Charterite General Assembly ultimately drafted and adopted the current

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Dorr's own father and uncle, suppressed the attack and the Dorrites retreated to the village of

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in 1990, the third time that Sundlun had challenged the incumbent DiPrete. Sundlun immediately

2539: 2418: 2338:, until his resignation in 1952, after refusing to be investigated after suspected corruption. 2307: 1812: 1787:

Rhode Island Congressmen were almost exclusively Whigs during the 1830s and early 1840s. Whigs

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to become Almond's successor, and was thrust into the national spotlight early in his term by

1676:) were both nominees of the Country Party. Meanwhile, one of Rhode Island's first 2 senators, 5802: 5742: 5714: 5699: 5536: 5365: 5144: 5109: 5014: 4989: 2889: 2755:

elections beginning in 2010. The four-way race gained international attention when President

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In a 2020 study, Rhode Island was ranked as the 19th easiest state for citizens to vote in.

5872: 5777: 5772: 5129: 5079: 5034: 5024: 5009: 4999: 4984: 4964: 4939: 4929: 4919: 2394:, during which Governor "Joe" kept a calm, casual, comforting demeanor while living at his 2285: 2236:

before the Depression, reclaimed his former seat by defeating incumbent Republican Senator

1444: 4855: 3611: 1739:) were all elected Governors of Rhode Island during this time. After the party split into 1633:

from 1786 to 1790. The Country Party's dominance prevented ratification of the Federalist

8: 5906: 5485: 5149: 5124: 5029: 4969: 4944: 4914: 4904: 3057: 2379: 2374:, who became a national political leader on medical research as a longtime member of the 2241: 2162: 2112: 2111:, with whom many in both parties were dissatisfied. During Davis' first one-year term, a 2089: 2045: 1990:

was Rhode Island's only Know-Nothing governor in 1854, serving in the office until 1856.

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supported it and several remaining Anti-Federalists boycotted the ratifying convention.

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of the Democrats' national headquarters and successfully managing President Truman's

2303: 2289: 2221: 2208: 2196:), won the first 2-year executive terms, having previously served four 1-year terms. 2149: 2108: 1987: 1923:. Fenner had previously served as governor on two other occasions as a member of the 1800: 1752: 1723:

In the 1820s, Rhode Island, like the rest of the union, was largely dominated by the

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to hold another People's Convention. Charterites cut off the retreat in the city of

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After ratification, many Anti-Federalists remained with the Country Party or joined

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men were ineligible to vote due to these restrictions by 1840. Political activist

5212: 2947: 2771: 2739: 2735: 2704: 2682: 2681:, his alma mater. When Almond was term-limited in 2002, conservative businessman 2666: 2564: 2551: 2449: 2371: 2342: 2281: 2189: 2182: 2037: 1622: 3243:

in the federal judiciary. The district's cases are appealed to the Boston-based

1950:

in 1847; Thurston was the first Democrat elected to Congress from Rhode Island.

4176:"GARVIN FOR PRESIDENCY; Boom for Rhode Island's Democratic Governor Is Started" 3799: 3313: 3221: 2800: 2796: 2743: 2719: 2654: 2596: 2588: 2547: 2410: 2399: 2229: 2225: 2204: 2174: 2081: 1844: 1828: 1740: 1629:, which was widely popular among rural areas of Rhode Island and dominated the 1610: 1494: 2815:, perceived as a fiscally center-right frontrunner, defeated Providence Mayor 2103:

In 1887, some Democratic power returned when prominent Democratic businessman

1668:. Rhode Island's first 2 governors after ratification (Anti-Federalist leader 5920: 4769: 3203:. In the 118th Congress, both of Rhode Island's seats are held by Democrats: 2816: 2812: 2783: 2613: 2355: 2319: 2311: 2097: 2077: 2026: 1792: 1768: 1736: 1704: 1669: 1642: 1482: 1942:

was the first Congressman from this district. The 2nd district also elected

1699:. While the Federalist Party is generally considered to have died after the 5641: 5392: 5274: 5243: 3172: 2955: 2892:, increasing housing costs have resulted in more homeless in Rhode Island. 2881: 2866: 2852: 2847: 2840: 2756: 2626: 2609: 2584: 2269: 2253: 2237: 1967: 1916: 1903: 1732: 1618: 1510: 1478: 1474: 1449: 3345: 3328: 2314:, which had Republican majorities in both houses. However, he chaired the 1909: 3771: 2657:

by a slim margin of 47–44% in the general election (third-party activist

2543: 2531: 2431: 2406: 2363: 2351: 2233: 2192:, who was also the first Rhode Island governor of foreign birth (born in 2181:, was the first Democrat to receive Rhode Island's electoral votes since 2121: 2117: 2058: 2002: 1928: 1875: 1803:

were also Governors of Rhode Island during this time. However, Democrats

1759:, supporting the former in the hotly contested Presidential elections of 1700: 1506: 5357: 4127: 3071: 2904: 2884:

has comprehensive health insurance for low-income children, and a large

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diplomat, during which time he had been involved in the drafting of the

2249:", as Republicans have struggled to regain power in Rhode Island since. 2009:. The first 14 Republican Party Presidential candidates, beginning with 1473:

Democrats hold all statewide and congressional seats including Governor

5388: 4732: 2951: 2832: 2686: 2650: 2502: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. 1888: 1879: 1820: 1756: 4204:"Warwick's powerful politicians: Charles R. Brayton, the "blind" boss" 3927: 2460:

United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island, 2012

2341:

With McGrath's resignation to become Solicitor-General, then–Lt. Gov.

2040:'s 1861 request for troops from the individual Union states. Governor 5495: 4679:"Buddy Cianci loses bid to govern Providence, R.I., for a third time" 3177: 2946:

The Moderate Party of Rhode Island is the third-largest contemporary

2862: 2820: 2788: 2605: 2560: 2366:, who proposed the first bill for the program that eventually became 2096:

officially established the current boundary line of Rhode Island and

1884: 4794:. Washington DC: Georgetown University Press. pp. 186, 191–193. 3166: 2477: 2386:

of the 1980s–1990s. Back in Rhode Island itself, four-term Governor

4604:

Truman and the Steel Seizure Case: The Limits of Presidential Power

3211: 2138: 1490: 2188:

Also in 1912, the Republican ticket for executive offices, led by

1997:, which would become the dominant party in Rhode Island until the 3292:"Presidential General Election Results Comparison – Rhode Island" 2601: 1775:, represented the state in Congress before the formation of the 1617:

was ratified. However, despite this eagerness for independence,

4890: 4848: 4398:"New Year's Day marks 78 years since RI 'Bloodless Revolution'" 2193: 2144:, who generally supported the interests of Republican senators 2088:, who was a brother-in-law of U.S. president and Chief Justice 1637:, and the state had even refused to send any delegation to the 1604: 3314:"Rhode Island Presidential Election Voting History - 270toWin" 2450:

Return of Republicans and rise of third parties (1976–present)

2120:

was established, revised election laws were passed which made

3241:

United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island

2778:

House of Representatives seat being vacated by retiring Rep.

2575:. Chafee was described as a moderate, but was among the most 30:

United States presidential election results for Rhode Island

2538:

U.S. Senator from Rhode Island in 40 years, and a prominent

2264:. In 1938, many Republicans, led by gubernatorial candidate 2252:

Republicans remained in some power throughout the 1930s, as

1711:

was not defeated by a Democratic-Republican candidate until

4885: 3682:"1848 Presidential General Election Results - Rhode Island" 3660:"1844 Presidential General Election Results - Rhode Island" 3638:"1840 Presidential General Election Results - Rhode Island" 3540:"1828 Presidential General Election Results - Rhode Island" 3518:"1824 Presidential General Election Results - Rhode Island" 2699: 2413:

was elected to the U.S. Senate after a lengthy career as a

2036:, Rhode Island was the first state to respond to President 1982:

became Rhode Island's first Democratic Senator. Meanwhile,

1767:. Many of these "Anti-Jacksonians" or "Adams Men", such as 1470:

has continuously been under Democratic control since 1959.

2707:, in a landslide election, and Carcieri won reelection in 1986:

returned to his Congressional seat as a Know-Nothing, and

1691:

became the 1st U.S. Senator from Rhode Island to serve as

2464:

United States presidential election in Rhode Island, 2012

2347: 4758:"Rhode Island Voter Surveys: How Different Groups Voted" 4130:. Rhode Island Historical Society - Manuscripts Division 3228:

Rhode Island's two United States senators are Democrats

1683:

Despite the Anti-Federalist views during the 1780s, the

4128:"Records of the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island" 1910:

Law and Order Party and Whig Party co-dominance (1840s)

4391: 4389: 4387: 3802:. The Office of the Secretary of State of Rhode Island 3739:"Rebellion, Murder, and Voting Rights in Rhode Island" 3327:

J. Pomante II, Michael; Li, Quan (December 15, 2020).

2185:

in 1852, before the founding of the Republican Party.

2017:, won Rhode Island's electoral votes during this era. 1931:

also represented the Law and Order Party as governor.

4459:. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division 2573:

U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

4708:"Ex-Mayor Cianci's legacy debated amid comeback bid" 4583: