Follow us on social media:
Rhode Island
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut calls on Joe Biden to drop out • Rhode Island Current
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Connecticut Democrat, called on Joe Biden to exit the presidential race, becoming the first member of Connecticut’s congressional delegation to publicly say he no longer has confidence in the president’s ability to win reelection.
Himes’ statement on X Thursday night that Biden should “step away” came moments after the president held an hour-long press conference after the NATO summit and as Democrats continued to express public and private concerns about his fitness for office.
The congressman whose Fourth District covers most of Fairfield County and some of New Haven County reportedly expressed private reservations about Biden’s candidacy on a Sunday call with other high-ranking Democrats. For the past few days, he declined to make a public comment about where he stood on Biden and if he remained fit to run for office against Donald Trump.
Joe Biden’s record of public service is unrivaled. His accomplishments are immense. His legacy as a great president is secure.
He must not risk that legacy, those accomplishments and American democracy to soldier on in the face of the horrors promised by Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/FMMrTK8pb8
— Jim Himes 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@jahimes) July 12, 2024
Like other Democrats who have called on Biden to drop out, Himes praised his tenure over the past three years — on gun safety, health care and infrastructure — and argued that he should look to preserve his legacy.
“It is because of those traits, and in consideration of that legacy, that I hope President Biden will step away from the presidential campaign,” Himes said in a statement.
“The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trump’s promised MAGA authoritarianism. I no longer believe that is Joe Biden, and I hope that, as he has throughout this lifetime of public service, he will continue to put our nation first and, as he promised, make way for a new generation of leaders,” he added.
So far, the rest of Connecticut’s delegation has not called on Biden to withdraw from the race, but many of them have said the president needs to do more to assuage voter and party concerns about his ability to win reelection.
The Connecticut Mirror/Connecticut Public Radio federal policy reporter position is made possible, in part, by funding from the Robert and Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation.
Connecticut Mirror is a content partner of States Newsroom. Read the original version here.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island State Police are investigating a crash that happened on I-295 North in Cumberland Tuesday night.
The crash happened in the right lane near Exit 22 just before 9 p.m.
It’s unclear exactly what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.
12 News has reached out to Rhode Island State Police for more information but has not heard back.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Scandals shake up Capitol Hill ahead of midterm elections
Congressional reporter Zachary Schermele dives into the latest scandals on Capitol Hill and how they’re shaking up politics ahead of midterms.
Rhode Island’s Democrat and Republican primary elections will officially be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 this year, instead of the usual Tuesday election day.
Lawmakers passed the bill at the urging of state and local officials, who were concerned that an election day falling the day after Labor Day would not give them enough time to set up polls for the arrival of voters.
Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill on April 20, officially moving the primary day for 2026.
Which races will be on the ballot? The Republican and Democrat nominees for a swath of local offices – most notably governor but also lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Why was RI’s primary day moved?
At a hearing on the bill earlier this year, Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns explained the “significant logistical and financial challenges” municipalities otherwise would have faced having an election the day after Labor Day.
“Beyond cost, municipalities face serious logistical challenges accessing and setting up more than 430 polling locations on a major federal holiday, a process that often requires many hours and access to facilities that are typically closed and unstaffed on Labor Day,” he said.
“Compounding these challenges, many municipalities conduct early voting in city or town halls that must also serve as primary day polling locations,” Rossi noted.
Without changes to current law, he said, “municipalities would be required to conduct early voting and primary day polling simultaneously, often in the same limited space and with the same poll workers, requiring additional staffing and facilities.”
By the time this legislative hearing took place in January, other states facing similar issues, including Massachusetts, had already adjusted their primary dates, “and Rhode Island itself has demonstrated that alternative scheduling can be successful, as occurred during the statewide Wednesday primary in 2018,” Rossi said.
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — If you’re looking to satisfy you’re sweet tooth, look no further than Division Street.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opened its first Rhode Island bakery in East Greenwich earlier this month. The new bakery is situated within East Greenwich Square, which is also home to the Ocean State’s first Crumbl.
The bakery is known for its handcrafted specialty Bundt cakes, as well as smaller “Bundtlets,” and bite-sized “Bundtinis,” that come in a variety of flavors.
“There’s a strong sense of local pride, creativity, and community here that aligns perfectly with our values,” said Jake Williams, who owns the East Greenwich bakery. “We were drawn to the area’s vibrant small business culture and the opportunity to contribute something special.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes is also expected to open another bakery at Chapel View in Cranston later this year.
Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.
Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Follow us on social media:
-
Health6 seconds agoGrieving mom hospitalized with rare ‘broken heart syndrome’ after veteran son’s suicide
-
Sports6 minutes agoAustin Reaves nearing return for Lakers as Luka Doncic remains out indefinitely with hamstring strain: report
-
Technology12 minutes agoMichael and Susan Dell surpass $1 billion in donations backing AI-driven hospital project
-
Business18 minutes agoContributor: ICE raids and migrant pay cuts are devastating California economies
-
Entertainment24 minutes agoReview: Monica Lewinsky, a saint? This devastatingly smart romance goes there
-
Lifestyle30 minutes agoWhat are Angelenos giving away in one Buy Nothing group? All this treasured stuff
-
Politics36 minutes agoCommentary: He honked to support a ‘No Kings’ rally. A cop busted him
-
Sports48 minutes agoSun Valley Poly High’s Fabian Bravo shows flashes of Koufax dominance