Is There Trouble for Raimondo and McKee in Rhode Island, After NY Congressional Upset

Top political experts tell GoLocal that incumbent Democrats need to take notice of the threat of progressive challengers after a major political upset took place Tuesday in the 14th Congressional District in New York.

NY Congressman Joe Crowley was a top member of the Democratic leadership and the potential successor to Nancy Pelosi as head of the Democrats in the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, Crowley got beat by a 28-year-old woman in the primary.

“The last time Mr. Crowley, 56, even had a primary challenger, in 2004, [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez was not old enough to vote," reported the New York Times.

"Mr. Crowley, the No. 4 Democrat in the House, had drastically outspent his lesser-known rival to no avail, as Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign was lifted by an aggressive social media presence and fueled by attention from national progressives hoping to flex their muscle in a race against a potential future speaker,” the NYT continues.

The upset sent shockwaves through Democratic circles. Ocasio-Cortez' win just started the day. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME transformed the balance of power between public unions and government. The decision prohibits unions from forcing union workers to pay dues.

The day turned even bleaker for Democrats when centrist Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his resignation from the Court, giving President Donald Trump his second appointment to the court and a likely 6-3 majority for Conservatives.

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Both Democratic Governor Gina Raimondo and Lt. Governor Daniel McKee are facing credible opposition from candidates running to their left. Former Secretary of State Matt Brown is putting pressure on Raimondo on issues ranging from healthcare to PawSox stadium financing, and women’s reproductive rights.

Similarly, McKee is being out-fundraised by State Representative Aaron Regunberg — a 26-year-old progressive from the East Side of Providence.

“Democratic incumbents should be concerned about the success of insurgent, progressive candidates running against established party names. It shows that the grassroots is riled up over Trump and his various policies and they want party candidates who will stand up to Republican policies," said Darrell West, Vice President at the Brookings Institution.

“[Progressives] don’t want mild opposition, but leaders who will confront the president and fight against his initiatives. Any established Democrat who doesn’t take primary challenges seriously is at risk in a primary,” said West.

The head of polling at Harvard’s Kennedy School and one of the world’s leading researchers on the opinion of millennials, adds a cautionary tale too.

“The lesson from NY-14 is that Democratic primary voters are seeking candidates who can empathize with the unique needs of their constituency, articulate a reform-minded message focused on the ills of money in politics and.inequality in government — and have a biography that shows all of this comes from the heart, not a consultant’s head,” said John Della Volpe, Director of Polling at the Institute of Politics Harvard Kennedy School.

SEE RECENT POLL CONDUCTED BY DELLA VOLPE BELOW - COMMISSIONED BY GOLOCAL

“A low turnout Democratic primary in a New York congressional district might not be a bellwether of what’s to come in Rhode Island or across the country. But after last night, any Democratic incumbent would be ill-advised to ignore the potential traction of a challenge from the left,” said University of Virginia Professor Jennifer Lawless.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Raimondo and McKee spend the next two months trying to cozy up to the progressive wings of their party. Nor will it shock me if Brown and Regunberg try to portray themselves as the only candidates who are willing to stand up for real Democratic values,” said Lawless.

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In response to questions about primary challenges, Raimondo claimed that she was similar to Ocasio-Cortez.

“Not unlike Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gina Raimondo had an a-typical path to Rhode Island politics. She brought the fresh perspective of a successful businesswoman and young mom to a State House notoriously governed by special deals and an old boys club,” said spokeswoman Emily Samsel of the Raimondo campaign.

“Gina thrives under the pressure and expectations that come with being one of only two female Democratic Governors in the country. A lifelong Rhode Islander, she saw firsthand that good things happen when hardworking students have access to the training and education needed to compete in today’s economy — that's why education and job training are top priorities in her administration, and why she continues to work her heart out to make sure our economic recovery reaches every single Rhode Islander,” said Samsel.

Unlike Raimondo, Brown responded personally, “The victory of my fellow Justice Democrat - and now future Congresswoman from New York - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a political earthquake.”

“The message was clear: not all Democrats are the same and corporate Democrats' day is done. The establishment across the country was put on notice: Democratic primary voters want leaders that reflect their values,” said Brown.

Like Brown, Regunberg said grassroots is the key to future Democratic success. “It’s always inspiring to see a grassroots, progressive campaign take on the establishment and win running on the same issues I’ve been fighting for in the State House - a living wage, universal healthcare, climate action and more.”

“But the election in Rhode Island is for Rhode Islanders, not New Yorkers or anyone else. And so I’m focused on talking to voters about my record of shaking things up and getting things done,” added Regunberg.

McKee's campaign did not respond to comment for this article.

Both Raimondo and McKee received the Rhode Island Democratic Party’s endorsement Sunday night.

Related Slideshow: GoLocal Statewide Poll - Conducted by Harvard’s Della Volpe - June, 2018

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