In Democratic debate for RI lieutenant governor, track records are touted as everything

EAST PROVIDENCE — The three women running as Democrats in the Sept. 13 primary for lieutenant governor only exchanged a few words on Friday in the WPRI building in advance of their debate.

Once they did meet, the incumbent, Sabina Matos; the longtime politician, Rep. Deborah Ruggiero; and the progressive candidate, Sen. Cynthia Mendes, agreed on most issues, while the things that didn't pass in the recent legislative session became a point of contention.

The importance of the position came into clearer view in March 2021, after former Gov. Gina Raimondo resigned after being confirmed as the U.S. commerce secretary, and Dan McKee, lieutenant governor at the time, was sworn in to replace her.

Mendes used the failure to pass legislation that would allow Medicaid funding to pay for abortion care against her two opponents in the primary race for lieutenant governor, in a debate released online Friday by WPRI-TV.

Mendes lambasted Ruggiero and Matos for not taking more aggressive action to protect abortion rights in Rhode Island.

"The problem I have is people passing the buck," she said.

Elimination of Medicaid abortion ban fails: The General Assembly session is over. Here's what passed, and what didn't

Sitting at a table with her two rivals, Mendes said her fellow politicians have been "obedient to the men in charge," including Gov. Dan McKee, to set an agenda all three are opposed to.

Until 2016, Mendes posted on social media that she was against abortion, which she said is a result of growing up in a conservative Christian household. She also defended her views by saying she was, at the time, a private citizen, not an elected official.

Matos and Ruggiero defended their work to advance abortion rights. Matos said she had been working her entire career to help get women into leadership positions and to protect women's rights. Ruggiero, a member of the House finance committee, said she supported the bill to allow for Medicaid and state health insurance to pay for abortion care.

"I did what I could do to make this happen," Ruggiero said.

Watch the debate: The WPRI-TV Lt. Governor debate

Matos said, in 2016, that she has worked hard to help elect candidates who support abortion rights..

The debate is online now on WPRI-TV's website, https://www.wpri.com/news/elections/, and it airs on Sunday at 5:30 a.m. on WPRI 12 and at 10 a.m. on Fox Providence.

Candidates' opinions mixed on Tidewater Landing soccer stadium

Ruggiero and Matos largely came out in favor of the Tidewater Landing deal, after McKee cast the tie-breaking vote to approve $36 million of previously approved bond funding to pay for the stadium alone, instead of for adjacent housing and commercial development.

$36 million in public financing: Pawtucket soccer stadium moves ahead on McKee tiebreaking vote

Mendes said the deal is a giveaway to "luxury" housing developers, who then donate to the political campaigns of the people voting for the developments, and the people in the city of Pawtucket are tired of it.

"What would be helpful is if we start taxing the rich," she said.

Matos said Tidewater Landing is important because Pawtucket already lost the PawSox to Worcester. The project, being pushed for by city leaders, will be a needed source of economic development in Pawtucket's downtown, she said.

"This is important development that Pawtucket needs right now, and it's going to help us relieve the issue of housing being too expensive," Matos said.

Ruggiero said she doesn't have all the information to know how she would have voted. She said that Pawtucket needs to become a destination and there needs to be more oversight, but overall, she likes the deal.

Candidates agree on a lot

During a "lightning" session of questions, Matos, Ruggiero and Mendes mostly agreed on a slew of topics.

All three are for a constitutional amendment enshrining the right to a public education, which failed in the final days of the legislative session.

Education rights: Constitutional right to an education fails in final hours of the General Assembly

Matos and Mendes said a ban on assault-style weapons is needed, while Ruggiero said she is for "common-sense" gun restrictions.

Gun restrictions: After committee rejection, RI Senate approves high-capacity magazine ban

Mendes and Matos are both for ending the independent election for lieutenant governor, advocating instead for letting the candidates for governor choose a running mate, as happens in the race for president and vice president.

Ruggiero said she is fine with whatever voters decide to do.

Matos and Ruggiero wouldn't give a grade to the job McKee is doing as governor, while Mendes said it "isn't passing."

In a survey from Morning Consult, McKee has the lowest job approval rating of any governor in the country, with 38% of voters approving of the job he is doing leading the state.

Low approval rating for McKee: McKee has the lowest approval rating in the country, according to a new online poll

Mendez and Ruggiero said the state takeover of the Providence schools should end very soon, while Matos said the state should be given another two years.

Providence schools takeover: Status quo prevails in the latest version of a Providence school oversight plan

The candidates pitch themselves

While she didn't talk about her background during the debate, Matos arrived in this country from the Dominican Republic 28 years ago. McKee appointed her lieutenant governor, and they have a shared agenda.

As lieutenant governor, she has helped push money for housing into the state's budget and has advocated for other needs.

Sabina Matos: Matos launches bid for lieutenant governor

Ruggiero, of Jamestown, is perhaps best known for her renewable energy, gun-safety and broadband-access efforts at the State House — as well as her role in the "Reform Caucus" that challenged the heavy-handed leadership style of former House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

At the debate, she said she will work with the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, controlled by the lieutenant governor's office, to address the state's needs to spend more on at-home care for seniors.

Deborah Ruggiero: Jamestown lawmaker Deborah Ruggiero jumps in race for lieutenant governor

Mendes, who represents East Providence and Pawtucket in the state Senate, was first elected in 2020 and is a member of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, which is trying to elect more progressive members to state offices. Mendes is running with co-op co-founder, and gubernatorial candidate Matt Brown, along with a slate of other candidates under their banner.

Mendes said special-interest groups, political donations and career politicians are a huge issue in politics.

Upcoming election dates

Register to vote deadline: Aug. 14

Apply for mail ballot deadline: Aug. 23

Rhode Island Primary Voting Guide: Everything you need to know to get your ballot

Early in-person voting begins: Aug. 24

Primary election: Sept. 13

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's lt. governor race: track records are touted as everything