Election 2020 - Big Winners and Big Losers

Wednesday, November 04, 2020

Analysis

The numbers are in, or at least most of them, and there are some upsets. GoLocal breaks down the big winners and the big losers election night.

Record Turnout and Unresolved Races

It was a night of delays, confusion and unresolved races but it is clear that the election was impacted by new voting rules, technical issues, and the coronavirus.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

It was also a record turnout in Rhode Island.

Veteran national Democratic consultant Tad Devine joined GoLocal LIVE’s Election Night coverage. Devine, who served as a senior adviser in Al Gore's 2000, John Kerry's 2004, Bernie Sanders in 2016, and Andrew Yang in 2020 Presidential campaigns, said he hopes a new era of voting can continue following COVID.

“Record turnout in Rhode Island and elsewhere could be explained by the barriers we’ve had to voting -- cramming it all into one day -- have been diminished,” said Devine. “I think that’s a really good idea and policy and I hope we keep it going.”

Election night in Rhode Island and across the country was disjointed and slow.

GoLocal breaks down the winners and the losers - See Below

Election 2020 - Big Winners and Big Losers

Winner

Ken Hopkins

Old school politics in Cranston claimed a victory in 2020.

They got the band back together with the old Ed DiPrete team led by lawyer Bob Murray helping to drive Ken Hopkins’ campaign.

If Hopkins holds on to win, it was old school v. new school.

Loser

Joe Solomon

The Warwick Mayor bullied the much respected publisher of the Warwick Beacon John Howell.

He fought with firefighters, business leaders, teachers and anyone else he could find.

Warwick residents decided they were tired of Solomon.

Winner

Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung

The GOP’s rising star stuck her foot on Nick Mattiello’s neck and did not let up.

Fenton-Fung was relentless in her attacks and made sure everyone knew that the Speaker was tied to numerous controversies.

Whether she holds on to her substantial lead or not - she is an emerging star.

Loser

Board of Elections

The regulator of elections knew that there was an issue with the reporting of thousands of votes in Cranston -- the location of two of the biggest races in the state -- and yet did not disclose for hours after the close of the polls to disclose there was a “technology” issue.

The controversy will be second-guessed and bring back images of the 2016 District controversies involving Speaker Nick Mattielo and GOP's Steve Frias (photo).

So much for transparency.