Former Dem MacBeth seeks GOP nomination for U.S. House District 1

Joins H. Russell Taub in seeking Republican nod to unseat Congressman Cicilline

By Mike Rego
Posted 4/4/16

Confirming speculation, State Representative Karen MacBeth announced her candidacy Monday, April 4, for the Republican nomination to run opposite incumbent Democrat David Cicilline for the Rhode …

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Former Dem MacBeth seeks GOP nomination for U.S. House District 1

Joins H. Russell Taub in seeking Republican nod to unseat Congressman Cicilline

Posted

Confirming speculation, State Representative Karen MacBeth announced her candidacy Monday, April 4, for the Republican nomination to run opposite incumbent Democrat David Cicilline for the Rhode Island U.S. House seat from District 1, which encompasses parts of Blackstone Valley as well as the entire East Bay and Aquidneck Island.

Ms. MacBeth, at odds with Rhode Island House leadership over a number of issues in recent months, only last week rescinded her affiliation from the Democratic Party to join the minority Republican delegation on Smith Hill. She becomes the second member of the GOP to seek the party's nomination, joining Providence resident H. Russell Taub

Ms. MacBeth had her chairmanship of the House Oversight Committee stripped by Speaker Nicholas Mattiello following her party switch.

In a statement released to the media Monday afternoon, Ms. MacBeth wrote, "I switched parties because I have seen firsthand how the principles of politicians are not protecting our schools and not strengthening the Middle Class. Their principles are power. For politicians, their constituents aren’t you or I. It’s the lobbyists who fund their campaigns.”

“I am not going to stand with a Democratic Party that rewards the politically connected. We saw in 38 Studios that the politically connected got our money—but we the taxpayers got the bill. Now I’ve been stripped of my committee. This is the state of politics today. If you stand up and speak truth to power they shut you down. I will never apologize for putting people above political power.

“I believe the people want their Member of Congress to be an independent voice for them.”

Ms. MacBeth, a Cumberland resident and elementary school principal in Woonsocket, chided Mr. Cicilline for his performance as both the mayor of Providence and during his three terms in Washington D.C.

"As Mayor of Providence, David Cicilline left the city in financial turmoil. He abandoned his city, a city that continues to struggle out from his poor leadership. He has taken those values to Washington D.C.," her statement continued. "It’s time we elect someone to Congress who will fight for you, a stronger economy, and better jobs.

“As a member of Congress, Cicilline is putting the United States in danger with his support of the Iran Nuclear Deal. He voted to unfreeze over $100 billion worth of assets for the Iranian regime, making a nuclear armed Iran more possible today than ever before. I promise to stand with Israel, our ally in the Middle East.”

Mr. Cicilline's spokesman Richard Luchette was reluctant to engage Ms. MacBeth.

Via email late Monday evening, Mr. Luchette wrote, “Congressman Cicilline is in Moscow and then traveling to Eastern Europe as part of a bipartisan delegation of the House Foreign Affairs Committee meeting with foreign ministry and defense officials on the need for greater military cooperation in the multi-national effort to defeat ISIS.

“There are now two candidates for the Republican nomination in Rhode Island's First District. Once Republicans have settled on a nominee, there will be plenty of time to engage in a substantive debate on the critical issues facing our country.”

Unseating the established candidate will be a tall order for either of the GOP candidates. Mr. Cicilline's toughest race was actually his first, when he only narrowly edged John J. Loughlin II, 50.6%-44.6% in 2010.

A more competitive contest was expected in 2012 when former Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Brendan Doherty challenged for the GOP, but Mr. Cicilline cruised with relative ease to a 12-point (53%-41%) win. In 2014, the congressman trounced Republican Cormick Lynch, 60%-40%.

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