Rep. Malik re-enters the race for District 67 seat

Longtime legislator campaigning as a write-in candidate

By Josh Bickford
Posted 10/11/16

He was happy. Jan Malik was content to move on and start a new chapter in his life… but then something happened. 

The longtime legislator said that following his loss in the Democratic …

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Rep. Malik re-enters the race for District 67 seat

Longtime legislator campaigning as a write-in candidate

Posted

He was happy. Jan Malik was content to move on and start a new chapter in his life… but then something happened. 

The longtime legislator said that following his loss in the Democratic Primary in mid-September, he found himself feeling comfortable with the idea of leaving the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He had served District 67 for two decades and was ready to move on.

District 67 candidates debate issues at Oct. 5 forum.

But then came the letters and phone calls and personal visits from people who said he could not give up. 

"People came up to me when I was leaving church, people were coming into my store. They all said 'You can't be done,'" Rep. Malik said. 

Fueled by that message, the longtime Democrat has decided to run for re-election — this time as a write-in candidate. 

"I realize it's an uphill battle," said Rep. Malik. "I know it is. But I needed to give people another option… and now they've got someone."

Rep. Malik said he plans to do everything in his power to win the election. He said he will work hard to spread the word of his write-in campaign, and will recruit people to work the polling locations and pass out cards reminding voters of the third, unlisted candidate. 

Just a month ago, Rep. Malik lost to Jason Knight in the Democratic Primary. Mr. Knight, a Barrington resident and newcomer to political races, captured the vast majority of votes in the Barrington portion of District 67. Rep. Malik, a longtime Warren resident, won more than half of the Warren voters who turned out to the polls.

"That night there were only 1,600," Rep. Malik said of the total voting turnout for the district. "Sixteen hundred isn't the voice of the people… In the general election there will be over 5,000 (in District 67)."

Rep. Malik said Mr. Knight did a nice job "getting out the vote" during the primary, but feels that there could be a different outcome after the general election. He said he believes he will be able to rally the support and get out his own voters during the Nov. 8 showdown.

Rep. Malik also questions whether Mr. Knight's message will resonate with the general election populace. 

"Jason Knight is a progressive liberal. He is the closest thing that I have ever seen to Gordon Fox in my whole life," said Rep. Malik, referring to the disgraced former speaker of the house who is now serving time in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud, bribery and filing a false tax return.

Rep. Malik said he did not support Mr. Fox the first time he ran for speaker of the house. 

Mr. Knight and Rep. Malik are not the only people running for the District 67 seat. Daryl Gould, a Warren resident, is running on the Libertarian ticket. Mr. Gould and Mr. Knight squared off for a debate last week in Barrington; Rep. Malik stood in the back of the room and watched the two trade barbs.

"They don't know what it takes to get something done at the statehouse," Rep. Malik said, adding that Mr. Gould would face an uphill battle in the House if he did get elected to the seat.

As for the challenge awaiting Rep. Malik, the longtime legislator said he is ready to do what it takes to retain his seat.

"I wouldn't get in if I thought I would lose," he said. "It can be done. I just need to get the people behind me."

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