EDITORIAL

Taking positives from a costly primary

Posted 9/18/14

Pundits are decrying the numbers in the wake of last week’s primary.

It’s not the outcome of the primaries, although that’s always up for debate. You’ve probably heard the analysis: Pell …

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EDITORIAL

Taking positives from a costly primary

Posted

Pundits are decrying the numbers in the wake of last week’s primary.

It’s not the outcome of the primaries, although that’s always up for debate. You’ve probably heard the analysis: Pell peaked too early; Raimondo would have beat Taveras even if Pell hadn’t drawn off votes for him; and while Fung came out the winner on the Republican ticket, the negative contest with Block leaves him damaged going into the general election.

Of course, we’ll never know for certain what affected how people voted, even though there are plenty of high-priced consultants who contend they have the answers.

But there are some final numbers that tell a story.

The millions spent by the candidates to get out their messages and put them in the best of light is a favorite argument to redesign the system and set limits. This primary was especially heated, not just at the level for governor but across the ticket. Raimondo is apparently the big spender, having put more than $4.4 million in the race. More than $12 million was spent just on the party races for the nominations for governor. Divide that by the 158,000 who cast ballots, and it comes up to $75.70 a vote.

And that brings to mind the second often-voiced complaint. Primaries traditionally draw fewer voters than general elections, a situation bemoaned by many as an indication of public apathy and declining interest in our government and those chosen to lead us.

As contradictory as it may seem, we applaud the spirited primary campaigns – costly though they were – across the board. On a state level, there was a feeling that the field of candidates was exceptional, and no matter the winners the state would be the winner.

The turnout was unexpectedly large for a primary. In Warwick, where primary turnout characteristically is less than 15 percent and has dipped below 10 percent, a total of 15,585 cast ballots. That’s better than 25 percent of the city’s 62,276 registered voters.

Indeed, 25 percent sounds low, but it is more than double the customary primary turnout. On the state level, it was about 21 percent.

Rather than faulting what was spent on the primary not only in terms of the money, but more importantly the personal energy and ideas of the candidates, this was an outstanding showing. A lot was invested in how the state and cities and towns should be run, and the people listened.

The primaries, we believe, are a telltale of a renewed interest in our state, and for that we have all the candidates to thank.

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