Posted on 12/05/2017 10:31:32 PM PST by Impy
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Joseph A. Trillo, the former Republican state lawmaker who became the leading Rhode Island advocate for President Donald Trump, said Tuesday he will run for governor as an independent, shocking many in the party he is leaving and adding a new wrinkle to the developing 2018 race.
“To win with my message in Rhode Island I will need Democratic support. I feel this can only be accomplished by shedding party politics and running as an independent,” Trillo said as he formally launched his campaign on radio station WPRO Tuesday afternoon. “I feel that my message is more of a populist message and I want to appeal to the average hard-working person who has been forgotten and sold out by insider politics.”
Trillo’s decision to run for governor was expected. He formed an exploratory committee earlier this year, said he was likely to run and had a campaign website.
But the longtime Republican’s decision to leave the party, also Trump’s party, caught many in the GOP by surprise and prompted hasty recalculations of the electoral math in the governor’s race.
By skipping the GOP primary, Trillo sets up at least a three-way general election (which could also feature a Moderate Party candidate or additional independent bids) and theoretically helps Gov. Gina Raimondo’s reelection prospects by diverting conservative votes from the Republican nominee.
So far Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and House Minority Leader Patricia Morgan have announced campaigns for the Republican nomination.
In explaining his decision to run as an independent, Trillo said he didn’t think he would win a Republican primary, in part because party leaders had backed Fung, who he described as “politics as usual” and not sufficiently Trumpian.
(Excerpt) Read more at providencejournal.com ...
This genius must have missed the face that Rhode Island has elected Republican Governora before with his "I will need Democratic support." reasoning. "Conservative" democrats voted for those Republican Governors.
As for Trump, he won, as a Republican, Joe, with the support of many erstwhile democrats. If he had run as an independent Hillary Clinton would be President.
He also won the nomination without the support of party leaders, it seems like you aren't man enough to even try that, you're too afraid to go against a guy named Allan Fung, so instead you will help the unpopular democrat incumbent win reelection with a plurality.
So lame. What an egomaniac.
You bet! The stupid is strong with this one!
I believe he knows that the RIGOP want Alan Fong, who is OK, but no Conservative. The elites want their candidate, so Trillo decided to go Independent. I believe he can win, and RI could be better.
He needs to run in the GOP primary. This stunt will only allow the massively unpopular Raimondo to get a second term with a minority of the vote.
If Trump could beat Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, et al, then this guy can beat a dude named Fung.
There is no excuse for going outside the party on this.
So this colossal d-bag Trillo was on his yacht (way to connect with the common voter) blaring music to get beach go-ers to look at his campaign banner when the boat was crippled after hitting some rocks, the Coast Guard had to rescue the clown.
Polling data last month had Trillo with 16%, and Republican Mayor Fung and Dem Gov. Raimondo tied at 33% each (presuming she is even renominated, if Sec of State Brown defeats her in the primary, he’ll be the favorite to win the general). Clearly, Fung needs these voters to swing to him.
“So this colossal d-bag Trillo was on his yacht (way to connect with the common voter)...”
If he f’s up a (Cranston, RI Mayor) Fung (R) win, he needs to go for a permanent swim.
My RI friends like Fung a lot; he’s done good things for Cranston.
Raimondo wins the rat primary in landslide.
Should be Fung’s to lose, though Trillo will try to aid Raimondo.
Trillo should be keel-hauled after being forced to watch Synder and Sandoval being shot out of a cannon.
RI is massively corrupt. Was this guy bought off?
That’s always possible but he could be an egotistical douchenozzle.
Or both.
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