R.I. Republican delegates endorse Guckian for governor

CRANSTON, R.I. — Rhode Island Republicans on Thursday endorsed Aaron Guckian for governor, choosing him over Elaine Pelino in the only contested race at the state GOP convention.

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Guckian received 72 votes from delegates from the Republican State Central Committee, while Pelino received 44 votes. Ten delegates voted for no endorsement.

Delegates also endorsed Ray McKay for US Senate, Kellie Keenan for that 1st Congressional District seat, Dr. Stephen Skoly for the 2nd Congressional District seat, John J. Loughlin Jr. for lieutenant governor, and Micholas Credle for state treasurer.

The Republican Party is not fielding a candidate for secretary of state.

Victor Mellor, another 2nd Congressional District candidate, had announced on June 21 that he was not seeking the endorsement after the nominating committee recommended Skoly.

So convention officials attempted to endorse Skoly by a voice vote, but some delegates loudly voted “no.” Officials then asked for a show of hands, and delegates voted 41 to 19 to endorse Skoly.

Both Guckian and Pelino addressed the delegates, seeking their support.

Guckian, former executive director of the Rhode Island Dental Association, spoke about being the son of a union plumber and a respiratory therapist. He also talked about working as a special assistant to former Rhode Island governor Donald L. Carcieri.

Earlier in the day, Guckian unveiled a “Rhode Island Turnkey Housing Initiative,” a proposal based on a model that he said accelerated housing development under Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon.

The proposal would encourage public-private partnerships to rapidly develop workforce housing, veterans housing, affordable housing, senior housing, modular housing, pallet-style structures, and other innovative housing solutions that can be deployed more quickly and affordably than traditional approaches.

“We are in a housing emergency,” Guckian said in a statement. “The turnkey model worked because it brought people together, focused on results, and got projects built.”

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Pelino, who was publisher and editor-in-chief of Tigress Magazine, said Republicans should expect former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes to beat Governor Daniel J. McKee in September’s Democratic primary.

“Let’s be honest, Dan McKee is finished,” she said. “Foulkes is a polished, well-funded, well-connected businesswoman who will come at us hard.”

So, Pelino said, the GOP will need a candidate that will draw a “sharp, unmistakable contrast” with Foulkes.

“You need a real Republican who will stand for something — someone who gives our voters a reason to come out,” she said. “We are one election away from socialism in this state.”

The Republican convention comes five days after the Rhode Island Democratic State Committee issued no endorsement for the incumbent governor and lieutenant governor. McKee received 81 votes, while Foulkes received 75 votes, a 11 members voted for no endorsement.

Pelino also noted that Ken Block, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate, is running as an independent for governor this year.

“He’s running away from the party entirely. He will be on the ballot in November,” she said. “And let me tell you, every vote Ken Block takes is going to be from Republicans, not the Democrats.”

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