Chef’s kiss to the first lawmaker who points out during next week’s joint Oversight hearing how it’s pretty rich that we’re casting shade at Logan traffic while still enduring the Washington Bridge headache. You can follow me through the week on Bluesky, threads and X. Here we go.
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1. STORY OF THE WEEK: On the surface, President Trump and Zohran Mamdani, mayor-elect of New York City, are polar opposites. They twit each other at every turn. The two men castigate each other as the manifestation of what’s wrong with politics. Mamdani, 34, is in the opening chapters of his political story, while Trump, 79, is in the late stages of his stormy decades in public life. In a significant way, though, Trump and Mamdani are different sides of the same coin. That’s because each draws support from widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo and a sense, in a time of dizzying technological change, that the economy is leaving too many people behind. Meanwhile, back in Rhode Island, the economic/falling-behind grievance helping to propel figures like Trump and Mamdani has yet to sweep across our politics. Real median household income here (about $92,000) has climbed over time, but it has been a bumpy path — and the state’s economy very much remains a work in progress. The only outsider candidate to make a serious impact in Rhode Island in recent history was the late Robert “Cool Moose” Healey, who snagged 22% of the vote for governor with a low-spending run in 2014, helping to elevate former venture capitalist Gina Raimondo. Of course, conventional candidates emphasize economic concerns and attempt to make progress when they win, even if the fundamental situation in the state remains largely unchanged. So why have Rhode Island voters not rallied around someone who would be more of a shock to the system? One suspects the answer, in large part, comes down to the money required to run for office and how many of those voting are doing relatively well economically and/or aligned with organized labor and other special interests.
2. REALITY CHECK: At least one study says last month was the worst October for layoffs since 2003, suggesting that economic jitters may only be intensifying. Even in more prosperous Massachusetts, a new survey (h/t Kelly Garrity) shows that 55% of respondents rate the state economy as “fair” or “poor,” and more people say the Bay State is on the wrong track rather than the right one.
3. MAMDANI MUSINGS: The election of NYC’s first Muslim mayor, with the greatest turnout in a mayoral election since 1969, raises a host of questions:
***The overarching question is whether Mamdani can advance his progressive agenda without alienating Wall Street, other business interests and important constituencies like the police. The answer will filter into whether Mamandani casts a bigger influence in the Democratic Party or looms as an effective foil for the GOP.
***Does Mamdani’s win signify a more muscular form of progressivism outside of New York? It’s worth noting that Jill Davidson scored more than 50% of the vote to win a four-way Democratic primary for Providence’s Ward 2 City Council seat. That kind of progressive support on the East Side was certain not to be lost on Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, who faces a primary challenge next year from state Rep. David Morales. Davidson’s win will also amplify the issue of rent control, which Smiley opposes and she and Morales support.
***Mamdani’s campaign made skillful use of TikTok. Can other campaigns replicate that with anywhere near the same success?
***Mamdani won notice for building a campaign around food and antitrust. Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos has been plotting a policy course on similar themes (here and here) for quite some time, so does that elevate her in her re-election fight next year?
4. THE OFF-YEAR ELECTION: Wins by Democratic candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia significantly outpaced presidential margins from last year’s election. This shows how candidates who tout an economic message can reap the whirlwind if voters believe they haven’t sufficiently delivered. Speaking about the results, NPR’s Domenico Montanaro said, “(F)irst and foremost, it’s about the cost of living. I mean, people are upset, frustrated, scared, nervous that things still cost as much as they do. I mean, many people are struggling to buy homes, pay off student loans, medical debt - worry about, you know, affording - being able to afford having children or paying for child care, accessing health care. You know, this has been a huge frustration for a lot of people, you know, particularly since the pandemic, through the Biden administration and now into Trump’s first year.”
5. SNAP BATTLE: U.S. District Court Judge Jack McConnell ruled Thursday that the Trump administration must send full benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program. Lawyers for the U.S. Justice Department appealed to the First Circuit in Boston. Isabella Jibilian has the latest.
6. GOT OVERSIGHT? The latest joint legislative Oversight hearing on the Washington Bridge is on for the afternoon of this coming Thursday, Nov. 13, in Room 35 of the Statehouse. It holds the potential to offer more insight than previous efforts, since witnesses will testify under oath and because former U.S. attorney Zachary Cunha, now in private practice, will be among those asking questions. RIDOT Director Peter Alviti has previously leaned on the state’s pending lawsuit over the bridge in declining to answer many questions. House GOP Leader Michael Chippendale (R-Foster) recently offered Rhode Islanders to submit their questions about the bridge via RIGOPCaucus@gmail.com. In a statement, he said, “We’ve yet to see the promised ‘day of reckoning,’ but we are not stopping our efforts – and with your help the McKee Administration will be apprised of exactly what Rhode Islanders demand to know about this failure. The Washington Bridge closure has become one of the most economically damaging events in modern Rhode Island history, disrupting businesses, schools, medical access, and daily life. Accountability is long overdue.”
7. RI SENATE: Two top Rhode Island Senate Democrats — Majority Leader Frank Ciccone of Providence and Whip David Tikoian of Smithfield — along with Sens. John Burke of West Warwick and Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis of Coventry, were among those on hand during a kickoff fundraiser for Mark Mesrobian of Narragansett this week. Mesrobian is running a Democratic primary challenge against Sen. Alana DiMario (D-Narransett), who was a rival to Ciccone for majority leader and voted against Val Lawson for Senate president last April. Mesrobian, meanwhile, is among the candidates backed by the League of Rhode Island Businesses (LORIB), whose slogan is “Empowering Rhode Island Businesses and Residents to Shape Meaningful Change.” Critics view LORIB as an advocacy group for conservative Democrats. Asked if the turnout of top Senate Democrats for Mesrobian signifies a leadership effort to oust senators who voted against Lawson, Senate spokesman Greg Pare said via email, “Absolutely not. Mr. Mesrobian is Sen. Tikoian’s cousin who has long contemplated running for office.”
8. ACROSS THE ROTUNDA: Rep. Carol McEntee (D-Narragansett), first elected in a 2015 special election, is the new chair of the Judiciary Committee in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. The post was open due to the recent resignation of Rep. Robert Craven of North Kingstown. In a statement, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi said, “Chairwoman McEntee’s work on the Judiciary Committee during my time as speaker has been nothing short of exemplary, and I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead this important committee. As one of the House’s leading voices to protect and deliver justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse, she truly understands how this committee helps and protects the people of Rhode Island, and I have no doubt that her dedication and compassion will continue to serve all Rhode Islanders well.”
9. HOSPITALS ON THE BRINK: It’s not a good sign when the funding to keep two important health institutions, Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Providence, is being negotiated on a month-to-month basis. But that’s where things stand, given the Atlanta-based Centurion Foundation’s inability to close its financing to buy the hospitals from Prospect Medical Group. In a statement this week, Centurion CEO Ben Mingle said the nonprofit foundation is continuing work to seal the deal. But we’ve heard similar things for a number of months and the clock keeps moving. The difference now is that Gov. Dan McKee’s administration helped to surface possible interest from California-based Prime Healthcare, the operator of Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket. Meanwhile, a status hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court is planned for Nov. 18.
10. PUBLIC HEALTH: Amy Nunn wears a lot of hats. She teaches at Brown Med School and at Brown’s School of Public Health. She’s also the executive director of the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, which operates Open Door Health, the state’s first clinic for the queer community. As counterparts met in Washington this week while trying to figure out how to counter the Make American Health Again Movement, Nunn spoke with me during One on One, my weekly interview show. Watch it on Ocean State Media TV Fridays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 10:30 am.
11. SHORT TAKES: Nancy Pelosi, whose paternal grandparents met in Pawtucket, doesn’t plan to seek re-election. She will be remembered as one of the most powerful women in American politics …. Dick Cheney, who opposed invading Iraq during the Persian Gulf War, changed course after 9/11 and emerged as a critic of President Trump, died at age 84 …. EcoRI is looking for a reporter.
12. YOUR WEEKEND GUIDE: Weekend 401 has you covered with some fun and interesting choices.
13. SOUTHEASTERN MASS: Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan won a narrow re-election race this week and said he doesn’t plan to seek re-election next time.
14. KICKER: Tom Brady will long remain an icon in New England and justifiably so. Perhaps he should stick with football analysis, eh?
