NEWS

Langevin picks Magaziner to succeed him in Washington

Posted 7/5/22

By ALEX MALM

After announcing he wouldn’t be seeking a 13th term in Congress, Congressman Jim Langevin five months ago Langevin decided to make an endorsement in the race to replace …

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NEWS

Langevin picks Magaziner to succeed him in Washington

Posted

By ALEX MALM


After announcing he wouldn’t be seeking a 13th term in Congress, Congressman Jim Langevin five months ago Langevin decided to make an endorsement in the race to replace him.

On Thursday Langevin announced outside the Providence Train Station that he would be endorsing General Treasurer Seth Magaziner.

“There is simply no doubt that Seth is the strongest candidate to keep the seat in Democratic control and fight back against dangerous and divisive leaders like Kevin McCarthy and Donald Trump who are undermining democracy and threatening working Rhode Islanders,” said Langevin.

The endorsement for Magaziner came less than a week after Magaziner was endorsed by the State Party.

Magaziner said that he was “grateful for Jim not only for his endorsement of our campaign but for his career his lifetime really of public service to the people of Rhode Island.”

“I am in this race for Congress as a new father because I am very concerned about the future of our state and our country,” said Magaziner.

Magaziner as he has  in the past painted a picture of the Republicans getting a majority in Congress and looking to repeal programs like the Affordable Care Act.

Aside from the Party endorsement the endorsement by Langevin came in the wake of a Boston Globe/ Suffolk University poll that shows Magaziner polled the most favorably against Fung in a head to head match. The poll, which has a margin of error of 4.8 percent, showed Fung with 44.9 percent and Magaziner with 38.5. Magaziner polled 4 percentage points better than the next best candidate.

“This poll shows what we already knew- there is a lot at stake in this election and Treasurer Magaziner is the strongest Democrat to take on Allan Fung in November,”  said Communications Director Patricia Socarras. “Nothing would be more disastrous for Rhode Island than if Allan Fung wins in November and helps the right-wing extremists take control of Congress.  Magaziner will fight to defend the right to choose, protect Americans from gun violence, and reverse the climate crisis by creating clean energy jobs right here in the Ocean State.”

Magaziner last week touted that he is the only candidate in the race who has won statewide and said that he won the 2nd Congressional District both times he ran for Treasurer.


Other candidates speak out

Aside from Magaziner, other Democratic candidates that have declared their candidacies include Omar Bah, former Langevin staffer Joy Fox, Providence Firefighter Cameron Moquin, Sarah Morgenthau former state Rep David Segal, Spencer Dickinson, and Donald Keith.

Former Langevin staff members submitted a letter expressing their disappointment that the congressman failed to endorse Fox. The letter appears on today’s editorial page 9.

Fox in a statement Thursday said “I am in this race for the people of this district, where I have lived and worked my entire life. From the beginning, I have believed that I am the most competitive Democrat, and hundreds of hours spent talking to voters has only reinforced that view.”

“I am proud to have worked with Congressman Langevin for the people of Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District and believe more strongly than ever we need people representing us who, like me, have deep ties to our communities, not more professional politicians. I appreciate the Congressman’s service, but obviously I find his decision disappointing,” said Fox.  “Changing Washington demands changing the people we send there. It’s time for Rhode Island to elect its first Democratic woman to Congress, a Congresswoman with real Rhode Island roots who will fight every day for the people of this district.”

Following the press conference the Fung campaign put out a statement of his own saying “Seth Magaziner, who has advocated for increasing taxes on gasoline, championed drivers permits for those in the undocumented community, and supports those who want to defund the police, certainly does not have a good pulse on the priorities of CD2.”

“Seth Magaziner is a big fan of Nancy Pelosi and can’t wait to rubber stamp her radical agenda,”the statement reads. “Fung’s agenda is the agenda of hard working people who just want gas prices to go down, our grocery stores to be full, and our streets safe.”

Asked if he thought the other Democrats should drop out of the race to pave the way for Magaziner to win the nomination Langevin said “ultimately it’s going to be up to each individual candidate’s decision.” 


Lancia bows out of race

No one from either party ran longer for the 2nd Congressional Seat than former state Rep. Bob Lancia.

Lancia in 2020 ran unsuccessfully against Langevin.

With that said on Wednesday afternoon, right before the deadline to file paperwork to run Lancia announced that he would no longer be running.

"The past three years running for the Rhode Island Congressional District 2 office has truly been an honor and such a pleasure meeting so many Rhode Islanders in my efforts to be an effective voice for the people,” said Lancia. “The kindness and support given to both me and my wife Maryann, as we traveled throughout the State together, has been so heartwarming. In politics, a day of reconning always comes and this week has been the time for reflection to decide what is best for my supporters, my well-wishers, the citizens of District 2, my wife Maryann, and the Republican Party as well.”

Lancia said after  “asking the good Lord for guidance, talking life decisions over with my wife, national supporters, as well as with the Rhode Island Republican Party leadership,” he decided not to run for Congress this year.

“I have made the hardest decision of my life and decided that this time in history is not the right time for me, therefore, I will not be continuing my campaign for the Rhode Island Congressional District 2 seat,” said Lancia. “I know many of my supporters will be shocked, disappointed and some even heartbroken over this decision. We, as America First Patriots, must stay engaged and ensure that, as the Republican Party and its candidates move forward, they all do so with Constitutional purpose and ensuring the integrity of the election system.”

A statement from the Fung campaign following the announcement said “Mayor Fung is grateful for former Representative Lancia's efforts over the years to make Rhode Island a better place.  He knows that Bob and his wife Maryann's tireless work for veterans and conservative values does not end with his withdrawal from the race today.”

“Mayor Fung looks forward to working together with Mr. Lancia to elect more Republicans at every level in 2022, and bringing common sense solutions to the table to get our country back on the right track,” the statement read.

Magaziner, Langevin, congress

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