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2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

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2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

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FieldValue
election_name2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
countryRhode Island
typepresidential
ongoingno
previous_election2010 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
previous_year2010
next_election2018 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
next_year2018
election_dateNovember 4, 2014
image_sizex160px
image1File:Rhode island governor visits NAVSTA Newport (cropped).jpg
nominee1**Gina Raimondo**
party1Democratic Party (United States)
popular_vote1**131,899**
percentage1**40.70%**
image2File:Cranston mayor Allan Fung.jpg
nominee2Allan Fung
party2Republican Party (United States)
popular_vote2117,428
percentage236.24%
image3File:Robert J. Healey.jpg
nominee3Robert J. Healey
party3Moderate Party of Rhode Island
popular_vote369,278
percentage321.38%
map{{switcher
map_caption**Raimondo:**
**Fung:**
**Healey:**
**Tie:** **No Votes:**
titleGovernor
before_electionLincoln Chafee
before_partyDemocratic Party (United States)
after_electionGina Raimondo
after_partyDemocratic Party (United States)

|[[File:2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election results map by county.svg|250px]] |County results |[[File:2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election results map by municipality.svg|250px]] |Municipality results |[[File:RIGov2014.svg|250px]] |Precinct results}} Fung:
Healey:
Tie: No Votes: 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. Democrats won Newport County for the first time in a gubernatorial election since 1998, and Bristol and Washington counties since 1992.

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. 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. 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.

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.

Candidates

Declared

  • Todd Giroux, contractor and independent candidate for governor in 2010
  • Clay Pell, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education in the United States Department of Education and grandson of Rhode Island's longest serving senator Claiborne Pell
  • Gina Raimondo, Treasurer of Rhode Island
  • Angel Taveras, Mayor of Providence

Withdrew

Declined

  • Patrick C. Lynch, former attorney general of Rhode Island
  • Elizabeth H. Roberts, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
  • Robert Weygand, former U.S. representative

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorTodd
GirouxClay
PellGina
RaimondoAngel
TaverasOther/
Undecided
Fleming & AssociatesAugust 11–14, 2014503± 4.38%1.4%25.6%**32.2%**26.8%12.9%
Fleming & AssociatesMay 27–30, 2014506± 4.38%1.6%11.5%29.2%**33.4%**24.3%
Brown UniversityApril 3–5, 2014395± 4.9%9.6%**29.4%**25.8%**35.2%**
Fleming & AssociatesFebruary 3–6, 2014503± 4.38%1.2%14.7%27%**31.2%**25.9%
Brown UniversityOctober 2–5, 2013433± 4.5%**42%**33.6%24.4%
Garin-Hart-Yang^September 10–12, 2013400± 5%30%**49%**21%
  • ^ Internal poll for the Angel Taveras Campaign
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
ChafeeErnie
AlmonteGina
RaimondoAngel
TaverasOther/
Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013320± 5.5%22%11%**35%**19%12%
9%**44%**35%13%

Results

Results by municipality:

| | | | | | | ]]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Ken Block, Moderate Party nominee for governor in 2010
  • Allan Fung, Mayor of Cranston

Declined

  • Scott Avedisian, Mayor of Warwick
  • Brendan Doherty, former Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and nominee for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district in 2012
  • Barry Hinckley, businessman and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2012
  • John Robitaille, former aide to Governor Donald Carcieri and nominee for governor in 2010

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorKen
BlockAllan
FungOther/
Undecided
Fabrizio, Lee & Ass.*April 2014300± ?**46%**37%17%
Brown UniversityApril 3–5, 201486± 10.6%**36%**31.4%**38.5%**
Fabrizio, Lee & Ass.*October 2013?± ?25%**53%**22%
    • Internal poll for the Ken Block campaign

Results

Results by county

]]|Results by county|

Results by municipality

| | | | | ]]|Results by municipality}}

Other parties

Candidates

Declared

  • Robert J. Healey (Moderate), perennial candidate
  • Kate Fletcher (Independent)
  • Leon Kayarian (Independent)

Withdrew

  • Ken Block (Moderate), nominee for governor in 2010 (switched to Republican primary)
  • James Spooner (Moderate)

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)

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%. 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. 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."

Debates

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political ReportNovember 3, 2014
Sabato's Crystal BallNovember 3, 2014
Rothenberg Political ReportNovember 3, 2014
Real Clear PoliticsNovember 3, 2014

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorGina
Raimondo (D)Allan
Fung (R)Robert J.
Healey (M)OtherUndecided
Brown UniversityOctober 25–26, 2014500± 4.4%**40%**39%13%1%11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGovOctober 16–23, 2014866± 6%**40%**35%4%21%
Brown UniversityOctober 14–17, 20141,129± 2.9%**42%**31%9%1%18%
Fleming & AssociatesOctober 6–9, 2014505± 4%**42%**36%8%1%14%
CBS News/NYT/YouGovSeptember 20–October 1, 2014724± 4%**41%**38%2%19%
Rasmussen ReportsSeptember 23–25, 2014750± 4%**42%**37%11%11%
Public Opinion Strategies*September 10–11, 2014500± 4.38%**42%****42%**16%
Brown UniversityOctober 2–5, 2013638± 3.9%**38%**36%27%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%**46%**27%12%14%
    • Internal poll for the Allan Fung campaign

With Raimondo

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorGina
Raimondo (D)Brendan
Doherty (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%**44%**32%10%14%

With Taveras

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorAngel
Taveras (D)Ken
Block (R)OtherUndecided
CBS News/NYT/YouGovJuly 5–24, 2014919± 3.4%**49%**24%15%13%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorAngel
Taveras (D)Brendan
Doherty (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%**39%**35%13%13%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorAngel
Taveras (D)Allan
Fung (R)Ken
Block (I)OtherUndecided
CBS News/NYT/YouGovAugust 18–September 2, 2014764± 4%**33%****33%**20%14%
Brown UniversityOctober 2–5, 2013638± 3.9%**42%**33%26%
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%**37%**31%15%17%

With Chafee

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
Chafee (D)Brendan
Doherty (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%35%**39%**13%9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
Chafee (D)Allan
Fung (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%32%**36%**16%15%

Four-way race

Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
Chafee (I)Gina
Raimondo (D)Brendan
Doherty (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%22%**32%**28%8%9%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
Chafee (I)Gina
Raimondo (D)Allan
Fung (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%21%**35%**23%10%12%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
Chafee (I)Angel
Taveras (D)Brendan
Doherty (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%23%26%**31%**10%10%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorLincoln
Chafee (I)Angel
Taveras (D)Allan
Fung (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Public Policy PollingJanuary 28–30, 2013614± 4%20%**26%****26%**13%14%
Poll sourceDate(s)
administeredSample
sizeMargin of
errorGina
Raimondo (D)Angel
Taveras (D)Allan
Fung (R)Ken
Block (I)Undecided
Brown UniversityOctober 2–5, 2013638± 4.5%**27%**21%19%9%24%

Results

By county

Gina Raimondo
DemocraticAllan Fung
RepublicanRobert J. Healey
ModerateOthersTotalCountyVotes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
Bristol**7,312****39.88%**4,80626.21%6,06033.05%1580.86%18,336
Kent20,17634.19%**23,009****38.99%**14,93725.31%8931.51%59,015
Newport**12,888****43.74%**10,12234.35%5,89820.01%5601.90%29,468
Providence**73,262****43.16%**61,51936.24%32,08618.90%2,8831.70%169,750
Washington**18,261****38.46%**17,97237.85%10,29721.68%9562.01%47,486

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

  • Newport (largest municipality: Newport)

Counties that flipped from Independent to Democratic

  • Bristol (largest municipality: Bristol)
  • Providence (largest municipality: Providence)
  • Washington (largest municipality: South Kingstown)

By municipality

Gina Raimondo
DemocraticAllan Fung
RepublicanRobert J. Healey
ModerateOthersTotalMunicipalityVotes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
Barrington**3,566****49.6%**2,02228.1%1,55421.6%500.7%7,192
Bristol2,62835.7%1,95926.6%**2,709****36.8%**751.0%7,368
Burrillville1,33428.6%**1,861****39.9%**1,37129.4%1042.2%4,670
Central Falls**1,359****66.4%**35817.5%28013.7%502.4%2,047
Charlestown**1,177****38.0%**1,13736.7%72823.5%591.9%3,101
Coventry3,81230.2%**4,979****39.4%**3,61028.6%2331.8%12,634
Cranston8,15930.2%**14,853****55.0%**3,71613.8%2781.0%27,006
Cumberland**4,661****39.9%**4,32537.0%2,47821.2%2201.9%11,684
East Greenwich**2,364****42.3%**2,31541.4%84815.2%651.2%5,592
East Providence**5,958****43.5%**3,71827.1%3,80427.8%2251.6%13,705
Exeter77128.4%**1,147****42.3%**74227.3%532.0%2,713
Foster53428.0%**732****38.3%**60431.6%402.1%1,910
Glocester96327.2%**1,503****42.5%**1,01928.8%551.5%3,540
Hopkinton83630.9%**1,080****39.9%**72326.7%682.3%2,707
Jamestown**1,325****46.2%**90131.4%59020.6%631.9%2,879
Johnston3,27032.6%**4,502****44.9%**2,12621.2%1341.5%10,032
Lincoln2,97436.2%**3,249****39.6%**1,87022.8%1191.4%8,212
Little Compton**674****41.2%**64839.7%28817.6%221.4%1,632
Middletown**2,241****41.9%**1,90235.5%1,09020.4%1192.3%5,352
Narragansett2,39539.3%**2,410****39.6%**1,19819.7%841.4%6,087
New Shoreham**365****50.3%**17424.0%17323.8%141.9%726
Newport**3,734****49.4%**2,31230.6%1,33117.6%1772.3%7,554
North Kingstown4,16637.6%**4,305****38.8%**2,42221.8%1951.7%11,088
North Providence4,01336.1%**4,505****40.6%**2,41421.7%1701.6%11,102
North Smithfield1,45633.2%**1,870****42.7%**98622.5%681.6%4,380
Pawtucket**7,144****51.8%**3,39124.6%2,96021.5%2842.1%13,779
Portsmouth**2,824****41.1%**2,47736.1%1,42620.8%1362.0%6,863
Providence**24,662****65.0%**8,44522.3%4,11610.8%7201.9%37,943
Richmond85129.5%**1,153****40.0%**82528.6%531.8%2,882
Scituate1,17025.5%**2,203****48.1%**1,14625.0%631.3%4,582
Smithfield2,58733.7%**3,241****42.2%**1,72522.5%1191.6%7,672
South Kingstown**4,606****43.1%**3,56233.3%2,29121.4%2332.2%10,692
Tiverton**2,090****39.8%**1,88235.9%1,17322.4%1032.0%5,248
Warren1,11829.6%82521.9%**1,797****47.6%**330.9%3,773
Warwick10,55935.0%**11,383****37.7%**7,79525.8%4281.4%30,165
West Greenwich60525.0%**1,097****45.3%**68428.3%331.3%2,419
West Warwick2,83634.6%**3,235****39.4%**2,00024.4%1341.6%8,205
Westerly**3,094****41.3%**3,00440.1%1,19516.0%1972.6%7,490
Woonsocket**3,018****40.6%**2,76337.2%1,47119.8%1822.4%7,434

References

References

  1. Klepper, David. (December 14, 2012). "RI Gov. Chafee open to running for 2nd term as Dem". [[Boston.com]].
  2. Sullivan, Sean. (September 4, 2013). "Why Lincoln Chafee's decision not to run for reelection is more good news for Democrats". The Washington Post.
  3. Taylor, Jessica. (September 4, 2013). "Gov. Chafee won't run for a second term". NBC News.
  4. Ostermeier, Eric. (September 6, 2013). "Chafee Just 4th Rhode Island Governor Since 1790 to Pass On 2nd Term". Smart Politics.
  5. Stephanie Simon. (September 8, 2014). "Dem divisions on display in Rhode Island race". Politico.
  6. Faccenda, Anthony. (October 4, 2013). "The Scoop: Giroux to Run for Gov, RI Tea Party Talks Obamacare". GoLocalProv.
  7. The Associated Press. (January 27, 2014). "Clay Pell, husband of Michelle Kwan, to run for Rhode Island gov". [[POLITICO]].
  8. Nesi, Ted. (December 18, 2013). "Gina Raimondo announces she'll run for governor". [[WPRI-TV]].
  9. Gregg, Katherine. (October 26, 2013). "Providence Mayor Taveras confirms run for R.I. governor". [[The Providence Journal]].
  10. DeQuattro, Dee. (April 30, 2013). "Almonte to run for General Treasurer, not Governor". ABC 6.
  11. Nesi, Ted. (May 16, 2013). "Ernie Almonte abandons campaign for governor to run for RI treasurer". WPRI.
  12. [http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/politics/state_politics/lt-gov-roberts-wont-challenge-chafee Lt. Gov. Roberts won't challenge Chafee] {{webarchive. link. (May 15, 2013)
  13. "Former Congressman Bob Weygand mulling run for governor - WPRI.com Blogs".
  14. "Fleming & Associates".
  15. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141105025937/http://www.providencejournal.com/politics/content/20140604-taveras-holds-small-lead-over-raimondo-in-r.i.-governor-s-race-journalwpri-poll-shows.ece Fleming & Associates]
  16. [https://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2014/04/survey Brown University]
  17. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140222140106/http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140212-providence-journalwpri-poll-providence-mayor-taveras-has-slight-edge-in-democratic-primary-race-for-r.i.-governor.ece Fleming & Associates]
  18. [https://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2013/10/survey Brown University]
  19. "Garin-Hart-Yang^".
  20. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2011/PPP_Release_RI_131.pdf Public Policy Polling]
  21. "2014 Statewide Primary". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections.
  22. Gregg, Katherine. (October 28, 2013). "Ken Block, Moderate Party's 2010 candidate for governor, seeking GOP nomination in 2014". [[The Providence Journal]].
  23. Rob Borkowski. (November 4, 2013). "Mayor Fung Announces Bid For Governor". Woonsocket Patch.
  24. Nesi, Ted. (July 12, 2013). "Warwick's Avedisian may run for lieutenant governor in '14". [[WPRI-TV]].
  25. Kalunian, Kim. (May 17, 2013). "NEWS: Brendan Doherty will not seek office in 2014".
  26. "Dan McGowan on Twitter: "Barry Hinckley tells me he has no interest in running for Governor. Clears field for @peterbaptista"".
  27. (October 18, 2013). "Robitaille says no plans to run for RI governor". [[WJAR.
  28. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140520221112/http://blogs.wpri.com/2014/05/17/the-saturday-morning-post-quick-hits-on-politics-more-in-ri-117/ Fabrizio, Lee & Ass. *]
  29. Towne, Shaun. (September 12, 2014). "Moderate candidate Healey could impact governor's race". WPRI.
  30. (June 25, 2014). "12 candidates file papers in RI governor's race". [[WJAR.
  31. Katherine Gregg. (September 15, 2014). "R.I. GOP challenges Healey as Moderate Party's 11th-hour candidate for governor". Providence Journal.
  32. Nesi, Ted. (October 26, 2013). "The Saturday Morning Post: Quick hits on politics & more in RI". WPRI.
  33. (October 28, 2014). "Pension Cuts Cost Democrat Union Support in Rhode Island". Wall Street Journal.
  34. (November 5, 2014). "Bob Healey spent $0.0005 for every vote he got". WPRI-12.
  35. (November 5, 2014). "Healey: It's amazing what $35 can do". WPRI-12.
  36. "2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014".
  37. (November 3, 2014). "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks".
  38. "2014 Gubernatorial Ratings". The Rothenberg Political Report.
  39. "2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races". Real Clear Politics.
  40. [https://news.brown.edu/articles/2014/10/taubman Brown University]
  41. Kate Fletcher (I) 1%, Leon Kayarian (I) 0%
  42. [http://today.yougov.com/news/2014/09/09/governor-races-headline-results/ CBS News/NYT/YouGov]
  43. [https://news.brown.edu/articles/2014/10/survey Brown University]
  44. Kate Fletcher (I) 0%, Leon Kayarian (I) 1%
  45. [http://www.providencejournal.com/politics/content/20141015-journalwpri-poll-raimondo-leads-fung-in-race-for-governor-many-still-undecided.ece Fleming & Associates]
  46. Kate Fletcher (I) 0%, Leon Kayarian (I) 0%
  47. [http://today.yougov.com/news/2014/09/09/governor-races-headline-results CBS News/NYT/YouGov]
  48. [http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2014/rhode_island/election_2014_rhode_island_governor Rasmussen Reports]
  49. "Public Opinion Strategies*".
  50. Ken Block (I)
  51. [http://www.cbsnews.com/news/2014-midterms-republicans-narrowly-favored-to-capture-senate-in-november/ CBS News/NYT/YouGov]
  52. [https://today.yougov.com/news/2014/09/07/battleground-tracker-2014-rhode-island/#RIgovernor CBS News/NYT/YouGov]
  53. [http://www.ri.gov/election/results/2014/general_election/ RI.gov: Election Results]
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