RIDP: Stop Sabotaging Democrats!

Democratic Party Chair Joe McNamara, Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello, and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio

The Rhode Island Democratic Party, unlike parties in other states, has the power to issue endorsements that result in preferred candidates having stars next to their names on the primary ballots. This year, the Party has used the endorsement process to support a White Nationalist Trump supporter who until recently was a Republican, Michael Earnheart, over incumbent Representative Moira Walsh. For a seat with no Democratic incumbent, it endorsed a man who has been convicted of manslaughter and is alleged to have committed other crimes--including domestic assault--over Bridget Valverde, who has unanimous support from her district's town committees. The Party machine has also endorsed an anti-abortion theology professor over incumbent Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, a party hack over incumbent Senator Jeanine Calkin's, and a former Representative currently in criminal proceedings over lying about where he lived during the 2016 election cycle over incumbent Ramon Perez. We are outraged and appalled that the Rhode Island Democratic Party would rather endorse racist Trump supporters and people engaged in election fraud than effective leaders who are real Democrats. It's time for a change.

To: Democratic Party Chair Joe McNamara, Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello, and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio
From: [Your Name]

This summer, the Rhode Island Democratic Party endorsed a White Nationalist Trump supporter over incumbent representative Moira Walsh. Taking such an action is unacceptable to us, as Democratic voters in the State of Rhode Island--as are other related decisions made by the Party machine, like the decision to endorse an anti-abortion candidate over incumbent representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell and support for individuals who have engaged in election fraud over other well-qualified candidates. The Party's endorsement, here in Rhode Island, has more power than in other states, and with that power comes the responsibility to think even more carefully about endorsement decisions. This summer's events have shown that Party officials are unwilling or unable to exercise that responsibility appropriately.

Therefore, we demand that the Rhode Island Democratic Party to revoke the endorsement of Michael Earnheart and Gregory Acciardo (note: this action has been achieved as of 7/5) and to censure the district committees which endorsed Holly Coolman, Mark McKenney, and John Carnevale. Such action should include removal of the star from these five names on the ballot and immediate access to the free VAN (voter information system) the Party provides to endorsed candidates for the dedicated Democrats who have been snubbed, as non-endorsed folks are charged $1,600.

We also demand that the Rhode Island Democratic reform the endorsement process so that this does not occur in the future. There needs to be real accountability and transparency in this process.

Finally, we demand that Joseph McNamara step down from his leadership role in the Rhode Island Democratic Party. He has clearly shown that he is not the right person to lead our Party through the 2018 elections. It's time for someone who is ready to provide real Democratic leadership to our party and our state.