It’s been a pretty good night for progressives so far. First of all, Lisa Blunt Rochester won her primary and is now almost certainly going to represent Delaware as their sole House member in the U.S. Congress. Delaware has never before elected either a woman or a person of color to federal office. She has a solid progressive record and a lot of experience working on civil rights and relations between minority communities and the police.
Also in Delaware, the brother of a good friend of mine and a friend of this blog won his primary to be the New Castle County Executive. Matt Meyer will also be heavily favored to win. Just for context, Senator Chris Coons served in this position, and it’s a jumping off point for higher office. Of course, with only three jobs in Congress, Delaware doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to move up. Still, as Delawareans like to say, “this is a big fucking deal!”
Up in Rhode Island, it looks like progressive Democrats got organized and orchestrated a primary bloodbath against their more centrist brethren.
Of the 18 incumbents facing primary challenges, six, including [House Majority Leader John J.] DeSimone, lost. They are all Democrats.
Rep. Eileen Naughton lost to Warwick City Councilor Camille Vella-Wilkinson in House District 21.
Vella-Wilkinson, who hammered Naughton for voting for Governor Raimondo’s truck toll bill, will face Republican Michael Penta and two independents in November.
Liquor store owner Rep. Jan Malik of Warren lost to Barrington attorney Jason Knight in House District 67.
Sen. William Walaska, D-Warwick, lost to Jeanine Calkin, a former Bernie Sanders campaign staffer, in Senate District 30.
Rep. Thomas Palangio lost to waitress and labor organizer Moira Walsh in Providence’s House District 3.
Sen. Juan Pichardo lost to Providence city employee Ana Quezada in Senate District 2.
It was a good night for the Democratic party’s liberal wing, with four candidates endorsed by the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats winning.
In addition to Ranglin-Vassell, Walsh and Calkin they included Susan Donovan of Bristol who defeated Todd Giroux of Bristol in the Democratic primary to succeed former House Finance Committee member Raymond Gallison Jr. in House District 69.
Donovan will square off in the general election against Republican Antonio Avila of Bristol, who defeated Eric R.D. Hall Tuesday.
Progressive Democrats State Coordinator Sam Bell called the results a “body blow to the political machine.”
In New Hampshire, Rep. Frank Guinta looks like he’ll probably survive a nasty scare, but that’s good news for progressive Carol Shea-Porter because Guinta is so damaged that no one thought he could get to the general. This would be the fourth straight time the two have gone head to head, and so far neither of them can beat the other as the incumbent. That trend will probably continue this November, and then Guinta will be probably be gone for good.
