Raimondo elected 1st female Rhode Island governor

[blackcrowflies]

Source: channel 10 - RI

Democrat Gina Raimondo defeated Republican Allan Fung on Tuesday to become the first woman elected governor of Rhode Island after a campaign that broke spending records and saw her snubbed by prominent labor groups over her pension system overhaul.

Raimondo's victory over the Cranston mayor and the Moderate Party's Robert Healey also makes her the first Democrat elected to the job since 1992.

The 43-year-old state treasurer led the Democratic ticket to a sweep of statewide offices, and a victory in the Providence's mayoral race, where Democrat Jorge Elorza defeated former mayor and two-time felon Buddy Cianci.


Read more: http://www.turnto10.com/story/27271594/ri-voters-choose-governor-general-officers

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Yeah, Gina.

But, I was hoping Buddy would win. He may be a crook, but so are 98% of RI politicians, and he was the best Mayor Providence ever had. He saved the historic downtown from developers, restored the Providence River, and created a significant tourist industry.

I excuse some of the company she keeps.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

1. More like Dino Raimondo

At least she had her "come to Jesus" moment with the unions. She'd have lost without them. Her and McKee better be watched closely.

Also, Fuck Buddy Cianci. Jorge Elorza is a good man.

[Chemical Bill]

11. +1

[swilton]

2. I don't like the sound of

pension system overhaul - essentially a euphemism for austerity and cutting benefits....Then again I'm not that familiar with R/I politics. But as you say, look at the company she keeps.

[blackcrowflies]

3. pensions

She overhauled the unsustainable pension system and instead of the whole thing crashing and burning and the government going bankrupt, came out with something decent.

We had people retiring in their forties on full salary for the rest of their lives, and free healthcare until they hit Medicare. People could double dip and get multiple pensions like that. $200,000 a year for no work, not bad. Try supporting plans like that financially.

The one thing she wasn't able to fix was 50% of some fire departments retiring early on disability, some people after a year or two of work.

There are pension systems and union people, and then there are people bleeding everyone else dry. The latter are out of luck, mostly.

[Chemical Bill]

7. Read "The Shock Doctrine"

The pension "crisis" was manufactured to redistribute wealth from middle class employees to Gina's Wall Street friends.

Personally, I want firemen who put their lives on the line to be paid well and retire early, before they are unable to physically do their job. I know plenty of people who were hurt by the pension theft, and none who didn't earn their keep.

Did you complain when Matty Smith and Gordon Fox, "good Democrats", joined with repug governor Carcieri to cut taxes on the ultra rich and take the money from cities and towns, causing the middle class taxpayers to be bled dry? Gina will continue that tradition.

Nice think tank talking points, BTW.

Bill

[Chemical Bill]

6. Pension overhaul...

She worked with Pew and Arnold to cut benefits and privatize the pension system for state and municipal workers. It isn't saving any money for taxpayers but it has already cost retirees their colas. The fees going to hedge funds have skyrocketed.

Bill

[Marrah_G]

4. Dems did well yesterday in Rhode Island

Our new Latino Mayor beat out a very popular twice convicted of corruption former mayor Buddy Cianci.

Lt Gov and treasurer, both Dems

[Chemical Bill]

10. To be fair, one RICO conviction, one assult and kidnapping.... n/t

[KamaAina]

5. What is the Moderate Party?

And welcome to DU!

edit: Oh, and Cianci must get his rug from the same place Rand Paul does.

[Chemical Bill]

8. Moderate party is rewarmed tea party.

But at least their candidate was honest, would keep his word, and would not enrich his friends at everybody else's expense. Unlike Gina....

Bill

[Chemical Bill]

9. Your endorsement of a twice convicted felon says it all. n/t