2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
The 2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of Rhode Island , concurrently with the election of Rhode Island's Class II U.S. Senate seat , as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections .
Incumbent Democratic governor Lincoln Chafee was eligible to run for re-election to a second term but decided to retire. In primary elections held on September 9, 2014, the Democrats nominated Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo and the Republicans nominated Cranston Mayor Allan Fung . Also on the ballot were Robert J. Healey of the Moderate Party and two Independent candidates. Raimondo won the election, becoming the first Democrat to be elected governor since Bruce Sundlun in 1992 (Chafee had been elected as an Independent in 2010 , switching to the Democratic Party during his term). Raimondo became the first female governor in Rhode Island history.
Background
In the 2010 gubernatorial election , Republican incumbent Donald Carcieri was term-limited and unable to seek a third term in office. The Republicans nominated businessman John Robitaille and the Democrats nominated State Treasurer Frank T. Caprio . Also contesting the election were Moderate Party nominee Ken Block and Lincoln Chafee , who served as a Republican U.S. senator from 1999 to 2007. After losing a bid for re-election in 2006 , Chafee left the Republican Party and became an Independent, running for governor as such. After a close three-way race between Chafee, Robitaille and Caprio, Chafee won the election with a plurality, taking 36% to Robitaille's 34%, Caprio's 23% and Block's 6%.
After constant speculation during his term, Chafee officially joined the Democratic Party on May 30, 2013. He had previously indicated that he might run for re-election as an Independent or a Democrat.[ 1] In the face of low approval ratings, polling showing him trailing in both the Democratic primary and the general election, and with weak fundraising, Chafee announced on September 4, 2013, that he would not run for re-election.[ 2] [ 3] Chafee thus became just the fourth governor in the history of Rhode Island to decline to seek a second term, after Byron Diman in 1847, Royal C. Taft in 1889 and William S. Flynn in 1924.[ 4]
Democratic primary
Gina Raimondo and Angel Taveras announced their campaigns in late 2013 and the race initially seemed to be between the more fiscally moderate Raimondo and the more progressive Taveras. However, the entry of Clay Pell into the race complicated things. Unions who had criticised Raimondo for cutting pension benefits and investing in hedge funds during her tenure as Treasurer and for fundraising from Wall Street and national lobbyists were split between whether to back Taveras or Pell. A coalition of unions including firefighters, police, supermarket clerks and city employees backed Taveras, whereas the powerful teachers' unions backed Pell, unimpressed with Taveras' support for charter schools . Raimondo drew support from non-union and private sector workers and some private sector unions including iron workers. Pell spent over $3.4 million of his own money and ran a positive campaign, but he was much criticised for his inexperience and lack of ties to Rhode Island. Taveras emphasised his background as the son of poor Dominican immigrants to appeal to Latino and working-class voters. All three candidates agreed not to seek the endorsement of the state Democratic Party. Ultimately, Taveras and Pell took an almost equal share of the vote as progressive Democrats split their vote between the two, allowing Raimondo to win with a plurality. Raimondo won 36 of the state's 39 municipalities. Taveras won Central Falls and Pell won Burrillville and Foster .[ 5]
Candidates
Declared
Withdrew
Declined
Polling
^ Internal poll for the Angel Taveras Campaign
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee
Ernie Almonte
Gina Raimondo
Angel Taveras
Other/ Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
320
± 5.5%
22%
11%
35%
19%
12%
—
9%
44%
35%
13%
Results
Results by municipality: Raimondo—30–40%
Raimondo—40–50%
Raimondo—50–60%
Raimondo—60–70%
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
Declined
Polling
* Internal poll for the Ken Block campaign
Results
Results by county: Fung—50–60%
Block—50–60%
Results by municipality: Fung—50–60%
Fung—60–70%
Fung—70–80%
Block—50–60%
Block—60–70%
Other parties
Candidates
Declared
Withdrew
Ken Block (Moderate), nominee for governor in 2010 (switched to Republican primary)[ 22]
James Spooner (Moderate)[ 31]
Removed from ballot
Thomas Davis (Independent)
Christopher Reynolds (Independent)
Anna Winograd Vrankar (Compassion)
Declined
Gina Raimondo (Independent), Democratic Treasurer of Rhode Island (won the Democratic primary)[ 32]
General election
Campaign
Union voter dissatisfaction with Raimondo carried over into the general election, with one poll finding they backed Republican Allan Fung over her, 42% to 30%.[ 33] Moderate Party nominee Robert J. Healey won 22% of the vote, having spent $35.31 to receive 67,707 votes, or $0.0005 (five ten-thousandths of a dollar) for each vote he received.[ 34] He later joked, "It's amazing what $35 can do. As I've been saying, if we only spent $75, $80, we might've won the race."[ 35]
Debates
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Gina Raimondo (D)
Allan Fung (R)
Robert J. Healey (M)
Other
Undecided
Brown University [ 40]
October 25–26, 2014
500
± 4.4%
40%
39%
13%
1%[ 41]
11%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 42]
October 16–23, 2014
866
± 6%
40%
35%
—
4%
21%
Brown University [ 43]
October 14–17, 2014
1,129
± 2.9%
42%
31%
9%
1%[ 44]
18%
Fleming & Associates [ 45]
October 6–9, 2014
505
± 4%
42%
36%
8%
1%[ 46]
14%
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 47]
September 20–October 1, 2014
724
± 4%
41%
38%
—
2%
19%
Rasmussen Reports [ 48]
September 23–25, 2014
750
± 4%
42%
37%
—
11%
11%
Public Opinion Strategies *[ 49]
September 10–11, 2014
500
± 4.38%
42%
42%
—
—
16%
Brown University [ 18]
October 2–5, 2013
638
± 3.9%
38%
36%
—
—
27%
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
46%
27%
—
12%[ 50]
14%
* Internal poll for the Allan Fung campaign
Hypothetical polling
With Raimondo
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Gina Raimondo (D)
Brendan Doherty (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
44%
32%
10%
14%
With Taveras
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Angel Taveras (D)
Ken Block (R)
Other
Undecided
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 51]
July 5–24, 2014
919
± 3.4%
49%
24%
15%
13%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Angel Taveras (D)
Brendan Doherty (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
39%
35%
13%
13%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Angel Taveras (D)
Allan Fung (R)
Ken Block (I)
Other
Undecided
CBS News /NYT /YouGov [ 52]
August 18–September 2, 2014
764
± 4%
33%
33%
—
20%
14%
Brown University [ 18]
October 2–5, 2013
638
± 3.9%
42%
33%
—
—
26%
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
37%
31%
15%
—
17%
With Chafee
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee (D)
Brendan Doherty (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
35%
39%
13%
9%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee (D)
Allan Fung (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
32%
36%
16%
15%
Four-way race
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee (I)
Gina Raimondo (D)
Brendan Doherty (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
22%
32%
28%
8%
9%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee (I)
Gina Raimondo (D)
Allan Fung (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
21%
35%
23%
10%
12%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee (I)
Angel Taveras (D)
Brendan Doherty (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
23%
26%
31%
10%
10%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Lincoln Chafee (I)
Angel Taveras (D)
Allan Fung (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling [ 20]
January 28–30, 2013
614
± 4%
20%
26%
26%
13%
14%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Gina Raimondo (D)
Angel Taveras (D)
Allan Fung (R)
Ken Block (I)
Undecided
Brown University [ 18]
October 2–5, 2013
638
± 4.5%
27%
21%
19%
9%
24%
Results
By county
Gina RaimondoDemocratic
Allan FungRepublican
Robert J. HealeyModerate
Others
Total
County
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Bristol
7,312
39.88%
4,806
26.21%
6,060
33.05%
158
0.86%
18,336
Kent
20,176
34.19%
23,009
38.99%
14,937
25.31%
893
1.51%
59,015
Newport
12,888
43.74%
10,122
34.35%
5,898
20.01%
560
1.90%
29,468
Providence
73,262
43.16%
61,519
36.24%
32,086
18.90%
2,883
1.70%
169,750
Washington
18,261
38.46%
17,972
37.85%
10,297
21.68%
956
2.01%
47,486
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
Counties that flipped from Independent to Democratic
By municipality
Gina RaimondoDemocratic
Allan FungRepublican
Robert J. HealeyModerate
Others
Total
Municipality
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Votes
%
Barrington
3,566
49.6%
2,022
28.1%
1,554
21.6%
50
0.7%
7,192
Bristol
2,628
35.7%
1,959
26.6%
2,709
36.8%
75
1.0%
7,368
Burrillville
1,334
28.6%
1,861
39.9%
1,371
29.4%
104
2.2%
4,670
Central Falls
1,359
66.4%
358
17.5%
280
13.7%
50
2.4%
2,047
Charlestown
1,177
38.0%
1,137
36.7%
728
23.5%
59
1.9%
3,101
Coventry
3,812
30.2%
4,979
39.4%
3,610
28.6%
233
1.8%
12,634
Cranston
8,159
30.2%
14,853
55.0%
3,716
13.8%
278
1.0%
27,006
Cumberland
4,661
39.9%
4,325
37.0%
2,478
21.2%
220
1.9%
11,684
East Greenwich
2,364
42.3%
2,315
41.4%
848
15.2%
65
1.2%
5,592
East Providence
5,958
43.5%
3,718
27.1%
3,804
27.8%
225
1.6%
13,705
Exeter
771
28.4%
1,147
42.3%
742
27.3%
53
2.0%
2,713
Foster
534
28.0%
732
38.3%
604
31.6%
40
2.1%
1,910
Glocester
963
27.2%
1,503
42.5%
1,019
28.8%
55
1.5%
3,540
Hopkinton
836
30.9%
1,080
39.9%
723
26.7%
68
2.3%
2,707
Jamestown
1,325
46.2%
901
31.4%
590
20.6%
63
1.9%
2,879
Johnston
3,270
32.6%
4,502
44.9%
2,126
21.2%
134
1.5%
10,032
Lincoln
2,974
36.2%
3,249
39.6%
1,870
22.8%
119
1.4%
8,212
Little Compton
674
41.2%
648
39.7%
288
17.6%
22
1.4%
1,632
Middletown
2,241
41.9%
1,902
35.5%
1,090
20.4%
119
2.3%
5,352
Narragansett
2,395
39.3%
2,410
39.6%
1,198
19.7%
84
1.4%
6,087
New Shoreham
365
50.3%
174
24.0%
173
23.8%
14
1.9%
726
Newport
3,734
49.4%
2,312
30.6%
1,331
17.6%
177
2.3%
7,554
North Kingstown
4,166
37.6%
4,305
38.8%
2,422
21.8%
195
1.7%
11,088
North Providence
4,013
36.1%
4,505
40.6%
2,414
21.7%
170
1.6%
11,102
North Smithfield
1,456
33.2%
1,870
42.7%
986
22.5%
68
1.6%
4,380
Pawtucket
7,144
51.8%
3,391
24.6%
2,960
21.5%
284
2.1%
13,779
Portsmouth
2,824
41.1%
2,477
36.1%
1,426
20.8%
136
2.0%
6,863
Providence
24,662
65.0%
8,445
22.3%
4,116
10.8%
720
1.9%
37,943
Richmond
851
29.5%
1,153
40.0%
825
28.6%
53
1.8%
2,882
Scituate
1,170
25.5%
2,203
48.1%
1,146
25.0%
63
1.3%
4,582
Smithfield
2,587
33.7%
3,241
42.2%
1,725
22.5%
119
1.6%
7,672
South Kingstown
4,606
43.1%
3,562
33.3%
2,291
21.4%
233
2.2%
10,692
Tiverton
2,090
39.8%
1,882
35.9%
1,173
22.4%
103
2.0%
5,248
Warren
1,118
29.6%
825
21.9%
1,797
47.6%
33
0.9%
3,773
Warwick
10,559
35.0%
11,383
37.7%
7,795
25.8%
428
1.4%
30,165
West Greenwich
605
25.0%
1,097
45.3%
684
28.3%
33
1.3%
2,419
West Warwick
2,836
34.6%
3,235
39.4%
2,000
24.4%
134
1.6%
8,205
Westerly
3,094
41.3%
3,004
40.1%
1,195
16.0%
197
2.6%
7,490
Woonsocket
3,018
40.6%
2,763
37.2%
1,471
19.8%
182
2.4%
7,434
References
^ Klepper, David (December 14, 2012). "RI Gov. Chafee open to running for 2nd term as Dem" . Boston.com . Associated Press . Retrieved December 18, 2012 .
^ Sullivan, Sean (September 4, 2013). "Why Lincoln Chafee's decision not to run for reelection is more good news for Democrats" . The Washington Post . Retrieved September 6, 2013 .
^ a b Taylor, Jessica (September 4, 2013). "Gov. Chafee won't run for a second term" . NBC News . Retrieved September 6, 2013 .
^ Ostermeier, Eric (September 6, 2013). "Chafee Just 4th Rhode Island Governor Since 1790 to Pass On 2nd Term" . Smart Politics . Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013 .
^ Stephanie Simon (September 8, 2014). "Dem divisions on display in Rhode Island race" . Politico . Retrieved September 25, 2015 .
^ Faccenda, Anthony (October 4, 2013). "The Scoop: Giroux to Run for Gov, RI Tea Party Talks Obamacare" . GoLocalProv . Retrieved October 20, 2013 .
^ The Associated Press (January 27, 2014). "Clay Pell, husband of Michelle Kwan, to run for Rhode Island gov" . POLITICO . Retrieved January 27, 2014 .
^ Nesi, Ted (December 18, 2013). "Gina Raimondo announces she'll run for governor" . WPRI-TV . Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013 .
^ Gregg, Katherine (October 26, 2013). "Providence Mayor Taveras confirms run for R.I. governor" . The Providence Journal . Retrieved October 28, 2013 .
^ a b DeQuattro, Dee (April 30, 2013). "Almonte to run for General Treasurer, not Governor" . ABC 6 . Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013 .
^ Nesi, Ted (May 16, 2013). "Ernie Almonte abandons campaign for governor to run for RI treasurer" . WPRI . Archived from the original on June 13, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013 .
^ Lt. Gov. Roberts won't challenge Chafee Archived May 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
^ "Former Congressman Bob Weygand mulling run for governor - WPRI.com Blogs" . Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 12, 2014 .
^ Fleming & Associates
^ Fleming & Associates
^ a b Brown University
^ Fleming & Associates
^ a b c d Brown University
^ Garin-Hart-Yang^
^ a b c d e f g h i j k Public Policy Polling
^ a b "2014 Statewide Primary" . State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved September 10, 2014 .
^ a b Gregg, Katherine (October 28, 2013). "Ken Block, Moderate Party's 2010 candidate for governor, seeking GOP nomination in 2014" . The Providence Journal . Retrieved October 28, 2013 .
^ Rob Borkowski (November 4, 2013). "Mayor Fung Announces Bid For Governor" . Woonsocket Patch . Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013 .
^ Nesi, Ted (July 12, 2013). "Warwick's Avedisian may run for lieutenant governor in '14" . WPRI-TV . Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013 .
^ Kalunian, Kim (May 17, 2013). "NEWS: Brendan Doherty will not seek office in 2014" . Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013 .
^ "Dan McGowan on Twitter: "Barry Hinckley tells me he has no interest in running for Governor. Clears field for @peterbaptista" " . Retrieved September 12, 2014 .
^ "Robitaille says no plans to run for RI governor" . NBC 10 . Associated Press . October 18, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013 .
^ a b Fabrizio, Lee & Ass. *
^ Towne, Shaun (September 12, 2014). "Moderate candidate Healey could impact governor's race" . WPRI . Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014 .
^ a b "12 candidates file papers in RI governor's race" . NBC 10 News . June 25, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014 .
^ Katherine Gregg (September 15, 2014). "R.I. GOP challenges Healey as Moderate Party's 11th-hour candidate for governor" . Providence Journal. Retrieved September 24, 2014 .
^ Nesi, Ted (October 26, 2013). "The Saturday Morning Post: Quick hits on politics & more in RI" . WPRI . Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2013 .
^ "Pension Cuts Cost Democrat Union Support in Rhode Island" . Wall Street Journal. October 28, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014 .
^ "Bob Healey spent $0.0005 for every vote he got" . WPRI-12. November 5, 2014. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014 .
^ "Healey: It's amazing what $35 can do" . WPRI-12. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014 .
^ "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved September 3, 2018 .
^ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . November 3, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .
^ "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings" . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .
^ "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races" . Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 3, 2018 .
^ Brown University
^ Kate Fletcher (I) 1%, Leon Kayarian (I) 0%
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ Brown University
^ Kate Fletcher (I) 0%, Leon Kayarian (I) 1%
^ Fleming & Associates
^ Kate Fletcher (I) 0%, Leon Kayarian (I) 0%
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ Rasmussen Reports
^ Public Opinion Strategies*
^ Ken Block (I)
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ CBS News/NYT/YouGov
^ RI.gov: Election Results
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