EDITORIAL

Campaign season starts with declaration deadline

Posted 6/23/16

We’ll know for sure next Wednesday at 4 p.m. – the deadline for candidacy declarations – who will and who won’t be running for local office.

We already know some of those who won’t be …

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EDITORIAL

Campaign season starts with declaration deadline

Posted

We’ll know for sure next Wednesday at 4 p.m. – the deadline for candidacy declarations – who will and who won’t be running for local office.

We already know some of those who won’t be running, as well as where we can expect primaries. Choosing not to seek re-election on the City Council are Camille Vella-Wilkinson in Ward 3, who is seeking election to the 21 District House seat now held by Eileen Naughton; Thomas “TC” Chadronet, who won’t be running for re-election in Ward 2; and Kathleen Usler, who won’t seek a second term in Ward 8. On the School Committee side, where the two at-large seats are on the ballot, incumbent Karen Bachus plans to run again, whereas Jennifer Ahearn won’t seek re-election.

As of this writing, all but one of Warwick’s state legislators are thought to be seeking re-election. The exception is Republican Joseph Trillo, who chairs the Rhode Island Donald Trump campaign. Having served 16 years, he wouldn’t seek re-election.

We still haven’t heard from a few incumbents, with Mayor Scott Avedisian being on the top of that list. The consensus among Warwick political pundits is that Avedisian will run again. By the same token, these people agree there would be a scramble – especially among Democrats – if the mayor were not to run.

Also, in a conversation earlier this week, Ward 1 Councilman Steve Colantuono – the only Republican on the City Council – said he hadn’t finalized a decision on whether to seek re-election.

With so many uncertainties – even those suggesting they would seek re-election may have a change of heart, as those making early declarations may drop out – we expect the declaration period starting Monday to be closely watched right up to the 4 p.m. deadline Wednesday.

Then the campaign season begins in earnest. Expect lawn signs to mushroom, candidates to knock on your door, and the debate to be elevated in these pages as well as other forms of the media.

Some call it “the silly season.” We would rather think of it as an opportunity for those who choose to lead to step forward with their ideas and for the electorate to determine who can best set the course for the community.

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  • FASTFREDWARD4

    No wonder I see so many fireworks up for sale on POSTRD.

    Sunday, June 26, 2016 Report this