Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE - Facing legal challenges to at least three of the five General Assembly candidates appointed by state GOP chairman Giovanni Cicione last week, state Republicans today filed an appeal with the state board of elections.

State law allows party chairmen to appoint candidates within 24 hours after the candidate filing deadline. Under the aegis of that law, Cicione last Thursday notified the Secretary of State that he was appointing three Republicans in Providence, a fourth in West Warwick, and a fifth in Pawtucket.

This morning, however, Laurence K. Flynn, chairman of the Providence Board of Elections advised the party that the appointment letter was not properly filed. While the GOP sent a letter containing the names to the Secretary of State, Flynn said state law requires the declarations be filed directly with the local canvassing board.

Cicione said today that the GOP was following advice from Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis' office.

But with another deadline only 24 hours away -- for candidates to pick up their nominating papers -- and anticipated objections from West Warwick and Pawtucket to his appointees, Cicione said the GOP will seek clarification by filing an appeal with the state Board of Elections today. If they don't respond by late this afternoon, Cicione said, the GOP will go to the Supreme Court and ask for an injunction.

In a telephone interview, he said the party was assured the Secretary of State's office would "issue the nominating papers at whatever point the candidate issue is resolved.'' But Cicione said it is not clear to him the Secretary of State has the authority to waive the deadline, and he fears that waiting until the other legal issues play out could leave the Republican candidates open to another round of challenges.

The Republican candidates include: John J. Clarke, seeking the seat held by Senate Finance Chairman Stephen Alves, D-West Warwick; GOP operative Lammis Vargis challenging longtime Sen. John McBurney, D-Pawtucket; Elaina Goldstein running again for the Providence senate seat held by Rhoda Perry, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

In addition: Kofua Kulah was appointed by Cicione to challenge Democratic Sen. Paul V. Jabour for his 5th District seat, representing Federal Hill; and Damien Baldino to run against the winner of the Democratic primary between Rep. Steven Smith and challenger John Carnevale. Providence has not sent a Republican to the Assembly since 1994.

-- Katherine Gregg, Journal State House Bureau

 Tags  appointments GOP legislature

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