Rhode Island
Super PAC money flowing into R.I.’s U.S. Senate race leaves even the candidate it benefits confused • Rhode Island Current
A New York-based economic think tank has asked a super PAC with multiple addresses to remove its website from an ad campaign supporting the U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Patricia Morgan against Democratic incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse.
The request from the progressive Roosevelt Institute comes after the group Roosevelt Society Action aired a 30-second TV spot attacking Whitehouse as he seeks a fourth-term on Capitol Hill.
“After 18 years in Washington, Sheldon Whitehouse has left us waiting with wasteful spending and backroom deals,” a stern-voiced narrator says. “It’s time for real change — it’s time for Patricia Morgan.”
That message in support of Whitehouse’s GOP challenger played twice on Rhode Island TV sets during the Oct. 27 Sunday Night Football game that saw the San Francisco 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys. The commercial is slated to air again, twice when the Indianapolis Colts play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 3 and once during FOX’s college football game Saturday, according to recent filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Roosevelt Society Action has addresses in Wisconsin and Alabama and one treasurer in Alabama who is listed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). It also has at least $200,000 to spend in the Ocean State, according to an FEC filing.
The group doesn’t have a phone number or any public profile that would indicate why it’s interested in a U.S. Senate race in solidly blue Rhode Island. A Rhode Island Current poll conducted in September showed Whitehouse led Morgan 52% to 37%.
“That is bizarre,” Matthew Ulricksen, an associate professor of political science for the Community College of Rhode Island, said in an interview Wednesday. “It never even crossed my mind that a super PAC would be spending for Pat Morgan — something’s going on here.”
Targeting sports fans
A Rhode Island Current analysis of FCC documents found the group has committed $25,000 toward television ads during NFL and college football matches, as well as slots during the first four games of the World Series. The anti-Whitehouse ads have not aired during New England Patriots games — a team which sits at a 2-6 record.
Filings with the FEC also show Roosevelt Society Action spent over $102,000 for printing, postage, and design on pro-Morgan mailers starting Oct. 17.
Morgan, a West Warwick state representative who chose not to seek reelection to run for the U.S. Senate, told Rhode Island Current the outside spending was a welcome surprise in her uphill funding battle against Whitehouse — who has far and away the biggest campaign fund of any Rhode Island politician.
In the pre-election FEC filing submitted Oct. 24, Whitehouse’s campaign had $2.2 million on hand. Morgan reported around $62,000.
“It’s nice to know that there’s somebody else that understands this is an important race,” Morgan said. “Sheldon is really vulnerable and he has been so stridently hyperpartisan.”
The Whitehouse campaign does not see the super PACs sudden presence as a sign of vulnerability in his re-election bid.
“Out-of-state dark-money special interests are parachuting into Rhode Island because Sheldon is leading the charge to take away billionaires’ massive power in elections and at the Supreme Court,” campaign coordinator Laura Fusco said in a statement. “Rhode Islanders deserve to know who is trying to influence their votes.”
Super PAC’s origins obscure
Roosevelt Society Action’s statement of organization filed with the FEC lists one name associated with the group: Treasurer Kayla Glaze, an Alabama woman tied to Washington D.C. firm Crosby Ottenhoff Group — where she has worked as a certified public accountant since 2019, according to her LinkedIn profile.
The FEC website lists Glaze as the treasurer of more than 130 political action committees across the nation since 2019, most of which support Republican causes.
Glaze did not respond to multiple requests for comment via phone and email.
The PAC’s third quarter filing with the FEC lists a $200,000 contribution on Sept. 17 from a home in Hudson, Wisconsin — an address associated with Thomas Datwyler, a consultant who has headed up the financial operations for dozens of Republican candidates and political committees in recent election cycles.
Datwyler was accused of wire fraud by a GOP super PAC in Nevada in July and is under investigation by the Mississippi Attorney General for allegedly violating the state’s campaign finance and reporting laws. He was also briefly listed as the treasurer for former U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), who later attacked Datwyler on X and accused the treasurer of wire fraud in a federal complaint.
“We do a lot of work around the country right from Hudson,” Datwyler said in an email Tuesday.
But he insists he is not behind Roosevelt Society Action. He said the group’s treasurer is Glaze.
Datwyler asked Rhode Island Current to email him with the filing showing his address being used. When forwarded a copy, he wrote back, “Oh man they have my home address!”
“I literally don’t know how they got my own address other than, maybe it’s like, on a bank for something, and then they just went with it,” he said in a phone interview Thursday.
Datwyler does have at least one Rhode Island connection: Timothy Mellon, the banking heir and railroad magnate who is among the top supporters of former president Donald Trump.
That is bizarre. It never even crossed my mind that a super PAC would be spending for Pat Morgan — something’s going on here.
– Matthew Ulricksen, an associate professor of political science for the Community College of Rhode Island
OpenSecrets found Mellon has spent over $165 million into the campaigns of Trump and other GOP congressional candidates this year. The Salt Lake Tribune in 2022 reported Mellon was among the top contributors to Liberty Champions PAC — of which Datwyler was the treasurer — to support the reelection of the U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
But Datwyler said Mellon has no involvement in the Roosevelt Society Action, though he said it was possible Mellon did contribute to the group after the most recent FEC filing deadline, which was Oct. 16.
Datwyler said the Roosevelt Society Action PAC’s primary funder is a couple from Florida but he could not disclose their identity.
Roosevelt Institute ‘not affiliated in any way’
At the end of the PAC’s anti-Whitehouse ad is the link to a website, rooseveltinstitute.org.
But that website is for a progressive economic think tank in New York City connected to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Institute does have a project called the Roosevelt Society, but its listed purpose is to be “a community of people bonded by a pro-equity worldview — fighting for an economy and democracy that are more progressive.”
Institute spokesperson Meredith MacKenzie de Silva said the nonprofit is “not affiliated in any way with the Roosevelt Society PAC.”
“The Institute was not aware of the use of its URL by this PAC and is taking immediate action to stop it,” she said in a statement Thursday.
MacKenzie de Silva told Rhode Island Current the institute does have a PAC, but it’s called “Roosevelt Forward.”
“But we haven’t produced or paid for any political ads this cycle,” she said. “We have done some pretty wonky writing on economic proposals.”
Why spend in Rhode Island?
Though perplexed as to why Roosevelt Society Action has a sudden interest in Rhode Island’s U.S. Senate race, Ulricksen, the CCRI professor, has his theory: super PACs make money.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial Citizens United ruling in 2010, Ulricksen said an industry has grown around super PACs and political nonprofits. OpenSecrets found over 2,400 super PACs have raised over $4.2 billion this election cycle, with $2.5 billion spent as of Oct. 30.
“The amount of money we spend on elections here in the United States is frankly quite sickening,” Ulricksen said. “It’s almost not even about the candidates anymore.”
Instead, he said the industry is more about self-styled consultants who pitch to deep-pocketed people who either know little about politics or might be passionate about a single issue or candidate. Those consultants can then take commission from expenditures from either production studios or printers they own.
“And that’s what makes it so difficult to put this cork back in the bottle — so many people are making money,” he said.
Another reason for the Roosevelt Society’s focus on Rhode Island is that right-leaning groups want Whitehouse to spend more money on his own race instead of transferring funds to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to spend on tighter elections such as the race between Montana Democratic Sen. Jon Tester and GOP challenger Tim Sheehy.
“This could be an unofficially coordinated action,” Ulricksen said. “Never underestimate the banality or drollness of rich Americans to think that they can use their money to influence something.”
The Whitehouse campaign has spent $1.1 million toward TV ads since the summer, according to FCC filings.
The case of the unknown footage
The Roosevelt Society Action ad begins with stills of Whitehouse against a fiery background that shows the U.S. Capitol bathed in red. Glitchy visual overlays and ominous audio accompany the scene, before the voiceover proclaims,“It’s time for real change.”
Enter Morgan, who is seen in a montage of professionally-filmed clips where she strolls the white marble steps of the Rhode Island State House, works at her office desk and meets with constituents, some of them college students. The b-roll has a clearly staged quality and looks crisp in comparison to the Photoshopped inferno the ad uses to depict Whitehouse. But where the footage originated is unclear.
FEC rules prohibit campaigns from directly coordinating with super PACs, though there is some gray area on what can be done. Candidates in the past have uploaded b-roll to their YouTube channels, for PACs to later pick up and edit.
But none of the footage in Roosevelt Society’s ad was on any of Morgan’s social media pages. It’s certainly not from the Rhode Island House Minority Office, Chief of Staff Sue Stenhouse said Thursday.
Morgan, who represented the House District 26 seat from 2011 to 2019, returned to the General Assembly in 2021 after an unsuccessful run for governor. She is one of nine State House Republicans, but has not caucused with the party since her return.
“She’s not part of our caucus and that was by her decision,” Stenhouse said.
Stenhouse said the footage could have been shot for ads during Morgan’s 2018 gubernatorial bid. Morgan lost the primary 56.4% to 40.1% to then-Cranston Mayor Allan Fung (who went on to lose to Gina Raimondo in the general election).
Morgan confirmed the video clips are “older footage” from her time in the State House. But she was clueless as to how the Roosevelt Society obtained it.
“They didn’t contact me, I have no idea,” she said. “I honestly have no idea — I’m just happy that they’re here.”
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island man accused of asking teenager for directions while completely naked
North Kingstown, R.I. – A Rhode Island man is facing a disturbing charge.
According to police, on Friday at approximately 4:00 p.m., the North Kingstown Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an incident of indecent exposure. The caller, a 17-year-old, reported that a male subject drove up her on Prospect Avenue, asking for directions to the North Kingstown High School while completely naked. The suspect was driving a silver Subaru, registered in New Hampshire. The vehicle was last seen traveling towards Fairway Drive.
Officers immediately responded to the area from different directions to contain the vehicle and investigate the report. The vehicle was located and stopped on Lantern Lane. The driver/sole occupant was identified as David C. Palmer of East Providence. After further investigation, Palmer was taken into custody and charged with Disorderly Conduct – Indecent Exposure.
Palmer was later arraigned at the station before a Justice of the Peace and released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bail. He is scheduled for formal arraignment at the 3rd Division District Court on December 6th.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island FC falls 3-0 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in USL Championship final – What's Up Newp
Rhode Island FC’s historic inaugural season came to an end in the USL Championship Final on Saturday when it fell 3-0 to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field. Becoming the first Eastern Conference team in league history to advance to the final match in its first season, the Ocean State club will return to Rhode Island proud after making the farthest run by an expansion side in eight years.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC had a golden chance to take the lead less than a minute into the match when Yosuke Hanya was on the receiving end of a central pass as he cut behind the Rhode Island FC defense. Sprinting into a one-on-one opportunity with Koke Vegas, the midfielder dragged his shot just wide of the right post.
Holding just 30 percent of possession throughout the first 15 minutes, RIFC got its first real chance of the match when it won a dangerous free kick at the corner of the 18-yard-box in the 14th minute. JJ Williams stepped up to take the free kick, and curled it narrowly over the bar as the match stayed scoreless.
Colorado Springs eventually broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Hanya broke free on the right wing, sending a cross into the six-yard box for Juan Tejada. Making a run into the open space, Tejada side-footed the ball into the back of the net from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
In the 42nd minute, Colorado Springs doubled its lead with a powerful strike from the top of the box. It happened when Jairo Henriquez tore down the left flank, cut inside and took a shot that was blocked by RIFC. Unfortunately for the Ocean State club, the rebound fell kindly to Haneriquez, who made no mistake on his second effort and picked out the top-left corner to make it 2-0.
The Switchbacks nearly took complete control with a third goal in first-half stoppage time when Quenzi Huerman unleashed yet another shot from distance, but Vegas punched the effort over the bar and took care of the resulting corner to keep the match 2-0 at the break.
Nine minutes into the second half, RIFC nearly cut the deficit in half when Clay Holstad connected on a corner kick from the top of the box. Instead, Colorado Springs blocked the shot and quickly broke out on the counter-attack, where Roaldo Damus finished with a low, one-on-one effort to make it 3-0.
RIFC came within inches of getting one back in the 64th minute when Frank Nodarse headed a corner towards the bottom-right corner, but Colorado Springs goalkeeper Christian Herrera produced a sharp diving save to deny the Ocean State club. Minutes later, Jack Panayotou forced another save out of Herrera, and Morris Duggan couldn’t keep the close-range rebound on frame.
The opportunities were as close as RIFC could get to finding the back of the net in the match as the USL Championship Final ended 3-0.
After the match, the visitors walked over to thank the over 400 Rhode Island FC faithful who made the trip out west. The fanbase’s incredible support during the record-breaking inaugural season fueled the team to a memorable finish. The Ocean club will now look forward to its launch of season two from The Stadium at Tidewater Landing in downtown Pawtucket.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
COS – Juan Tejada (Youke Hanya), 22nd minute: Tejada connects with Hanya’s right-wing cross from inside the six-yard box. COS 1, RI 0
COS – Jairo Henriquez, 42nd minute: Henriquez picks out the top-left corner with a powerful strike from the top of the 18-yard box. COS 2, RI 0
COS – Ronaldo Damus (Matt Real), 53rd minute: Damus finishes a one-on-one counter-attack with a low finish into the bottom corner. COS 3, RI 0
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Saturday’s match was the first-ever USL Championship Final to air nationally on network television (CBS).
- The opening goal for Colorado Springs in the 22nd minute marked the first time RIFC trailed during the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs.
- The 2-0 halftime deficit marked the first time RIFC has trailed by multiple goals at halftime since April 26.
- RIFC will return to the Ocean State after making the furthest playoff run by any Eastern Conference expansion team in league history, and becoming the first expansion club in eight years to advance to the final.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Clay Holstad
Match stats and information available here.
Rhode Island
An appreciation of Joe Biden; RI’s underpaid doctors | Letters
Thank you, Joe Biden
Trump has learned that if he tells lies often enough and loudly enough, they will be believed. He keeps repeating that Joe Biden has been a terrible president.
In fact, President Biden has accomplished much. He tackled the COVID crisis by helping hospitals get supplies, getting COVID vaccines distributed, making free testing kits available, sending checks to all Americans, and helping people return to work and students return to school.
He revitalized the U.S. participation in NATO and supported Ukraine vs. Putin.
He recognized climate change and rejoined the rest of the world in battling its effects.
He appointed the first Black female Supreme Court justice.
He initiated projects to improve the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
He oversaw the U.S. economy’s rebound from the pandemic.
The list goes on.
But, best of all, he stopped the daily flow of lies that had been streaming from the White House.
Cindy Kaplan, West Warwick
Better compensation for doctors
What is happening to the health-care system in America? The quality of care seems to be diminishing. One of the reasons is the abysmally poor salaries we pay to our medical residents and fellows, doctors who have already spent years in medical school and are now honing their skills in hospitals throughout the country.
The problem is especially acute in Rhode Island where these young doctors are paid an average of less than $70,000 per year at our hospitals (“Resident doctors make union bid,” News, Nov. 21).
How can these doctors’ patients and hospital management expect them to excel while trying to survive on such meager wages for four to seven years of residency and fellowship, especially with the high cost of housing in Rhode Island and with their average quarter-million-dollar student loan debts?
The only thing that keeps at bay the hounds who are constantly calling for the nationalization of our health-care system is that our country provides the best medical care in the world. Nationalization would destroy our system as it has done in the UK and Canada.
Poor pay and overly arduous working conditions foisted upon residents and fellows in the U.S. will lead to fewer quality doctors entering the profession. Nationalization will eventually follow.
I have opposed unions in the past, but when we pay our young doctors less than what we pay electrical and plumbing apprentices, something is terribly wrong.
If we want our citizens to continue receiving the world’s best medical care, we better start properly compensating residents and fellows and allowing them a bit of time off. Otherwise, they will enter other professions and the quality of medical care in America will deteriorate to that provided by nationalized health systems.
Lonnie Barham, Warwick
Saving RI’s forests
Many environmentalists are concerned about the upcoming administration being filled with individuals who do not take climate change seriously. While, unfortunately, these next four years will probably take us backwards in the fight against climate change, we can still protect the environment here in Rhode Island.
Currently, Rhode Island is the only state in New England with no protected forests on state-owned land. Rare and endangered species are threatened due to their habitats being destroyed by DEM and solar developers through forest clear-cutting.
By joining the Save Rhode Island’s Forests Campaign, you can help in the effort to get legislation passed to create laws to finally protect our state forests and endangered species. In Rhode Island, you can save the environment.
Nathan Cornell, Warwick
The writer is president of the Rhode Island Old Growth Tree Society.
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