Democratic Lt. Gov. Dan McKee is joining a backlash against progressive lawmakers in the East Bay, endorsing an independent candidate over an incumbent Democratic House member, while in a separate race a retiring member of House leadership has backed a Libertarian over the Democratic nominee.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Democratic Lt. Gov. Dan McKee is joining a backlash against progressive lawmakers in the East Bay, endorsing an independent candidate over an incumbent Democratic House member, while in a separate race a retiring member of House leadership has backed a Libertarian over the Democratic nominee.

Former state representative Douglas Gablinske on Thursday touted McKee's endorsement over Rep. Susan Donovan for the House District 69 seat in Bristol and Portsmouth.



"Doug and I share common visions for the future of Rhode Island," McKee said in a Gablinske news release. "We worked side by side to improve the education outcomes of our children and he always brought a good dose of common sense in deliberating challenges we collectively faced."

McKee narrowly defeated progressive state Rep. Aaron Regunberg in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor in September and is considered the favorite in a race that includes Republican Paul Pence, Moderate Joel Hellman and independents Ross McCurdy and Jonathan Riccitelli.

Gablinske, of Bristol, was a member of the House from 2006 to 2010.

Donovan is finishing her first term after winning the open seat vacated by Rep. Raymond Gallison after he was arrested in 2016.

Last week Donovan became the latest lawmaker to say they will not support House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello to lead the chamber again if he wins reelection to his Cranston House seat.

Donovan's win and Rep. Jason Knight's victory over Jan Malik in the 2016 Democratic primary added two new progressive votes representing the East Bay two years ago.

This year progressive Democratic primary victories by Laufton Ascencao in the seat held by retiring Bristol Rep. Ken Marshall and by Liana Cassar in the seat now held by Rep. Joy Hearn in Barrington could increase the region's leftward shift.

On Thursday Donovan supporters railed at McKee for going against the party nominee.

"The Bristol Democratic Town Committee is shocked by Lt. Governor Dan McKee’s decision to support the opponent of incumbent Democratic nominee, State Representative Susan Donovan," the Bristol Democratic Town Committee said in a news release. "While claiming to be ‘Independent’, Donovan’s opponent Doug Gablinske is supported by the Republican Party. In addition, he has been backed by The Gaspee Project, a far right-wing group [that has] been actively attacking Democratic candidates throughout this election."

"Doug Gablinske is the guy who called public school teachers “pigs at the trough,” Regunberg tweeted. "Sue is the woman who led the fight for equal pay for equal work. I’m very proud to be supporting [Donovan.]"

Meanwhile, Libertarian William Hunt received a boost from Marshall, a senior deputy majority leader, and Malik in his race against Ascencao.

Hunt, one of two Libertarian candidates running for House seats this year, took 38 percent of the vote in a loss to Marshall in 2016. Former state Republican Chairman Mark Smiley and Bristol Republican Town Committee Chairman Thomas Carroll also endorsed Hunt.

“This bipartisan letter of endorsement sends a clear message denouncing the far-left Progressive ideologues’ attempt to overtake the East Bay,” Hunt said in a news release.

The other Libertarian, Daryl Gould, is running against Knight in Barrington.