Gablinske says he's moderate alternative to 'liberal extreme' incumbent

Gablinske considers Donovan part of the liberal extreme; Donovan says she's a Democrat, not a 'socialist'

By Christy Nadalin
Posted 10/11/18

Voters in Rhode Island House District 69 have two familiar names to choose from this year. Susan Donovan, a Democrat, and Doug Gablinske, an Independent, are both running for the General Assembly …

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Gablinske says he's moderate alternative to 'liberal extreme' incumbent

Gablinske considers Donovan part of the liberal extreme; Donovan says she's a Democrat, not a 'socialist'

Posted

Voters in Rhode Island House District 69 have two familiar names to choose from this year. Susan Donovan, a Democrat, and Doug Gablinske, an Independent, are both running for the General Assembly seat.

Ms. Donovan is the incumbent, having won the seat formerly occupied by disgraced lawmaker Raymond Gallison in 2016. She currently serves on the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare as well as the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr. Gablinske is an experienced challenger, whose name is familiar on Smith Hill. He represented Disctrict 68 from 2007 through 2010, when he was defeated by Richard Morrison after being targeted by state labor unions — specifically John Leidecker, the deputy executive director of the National Education Association of Rhode Island, who was in 2011 found guilty of a misdemeanor for cyberstalking Mr. Gablinske during the campaign and sending out emails from a “Rep. Gablinski” misrepresenting Mr. Gablinske’s positions on issues. That conviction was cleared in 2014 by a judge who cited Leidecker’s First Amendment rights, but the damage to the trajectory of Mr. Gablinske’s political career was long done.

Complicating this run, for Mr. Gablinske at least, is the fact that in the years since he last served, the 2010 census triggered a redistricting that resulted in him being unable to represent the voters of District 68.

“It’s been confusing; I have people who come up to me and say they’re voting for me again,” he said. “But many of them can’t. I’m not in their district.”

Mr. Gablinske admits he’s kept a close eye on the Statehouse over the past several years. He’s concerned about what he’s seeing. 

“The liberal, socialist extreme of the Democratic party has continued to make headway getting progressives elected,” he said. “They are very organized, and well-funded, with lots of money from public employee unions.”

A lifelong Democrat, Mr. Gablinske recently resigned from the party, feeling that they no longer represented his more moderate views. “I don’t think this shift (to the left) is a flash in the pan,” he said. “It’s a big movement, in New England and on the West Coast.”

If elected, he hopes to continue the work he began several years ago, promoting a moderate agenda and legislation friendly to small business and economic growth, and fighting large tax increases, which he says are “contrary to where most taxpayers want to go.”

“My opponent is an avowed progressive,” Mr. Gablinske said. “To her credit, she doesn’t pretend otherwise; she believes in the policies she promotes. Susan (Donovan) is a nice person, and I’m a good guy, but that’s not how voters should choose. Extremism negatively impacts progress.”

Mr. Gablinske added, “I’m the man in the middle; I can build consensus with people on the extremes and bring them to the middle. I have a demonstrated track record with issues from stopping LNG (the liquefied natural gas terminal that was slated for development in Mt. Hope Bay) to getting the state DOT to prioritize fixing Hope Street” at the end of his last term.

 

Gablinske invites Donovan to debate

Frustrated by the fact that there is only one opportunity to debate, it will be held late in the game (Oct. 30) and feeling that the format limits deeper discussion of the issues, Mr. Gablinske has contacted Ms. Donovan to request additional debates in media including local television (with a mainstream media moderator) or on Facebook live.

“People have the right to know the philosophy of their candidates,” he said.

For her part, Ms. Donovan is a little perplexed by the “socialist” label. “When I look at the Democrat platform, I align with those values,” she said. “I can’t imagine that I’m anything but a real Democrat. Which of the policies I support are socialist?”

“Education is one of my priorities, and helping the school bond pass — it’s great for everyone, especially Bristol. I’m for passing common sense gun laws, the line item veto, and strengthening campaign finance laws.

“My job isn’t finished,” she said. “Legislating is an arduous process and I’m looking forward to getting more accomplished for this district.”

In her reply to to Mr. Gablinske’s request for additional debates, Ms. Donovan said she looks forward to participating in an Oct. 30 forum and “would consider additional candidate forums that are sponsored and planned by organizations similar to the League of Women Voters” (which sponsors and plans the Oct. 30 event.)

In the meantime, Ms. Donovan says she is out knocking on doors and connecting with people about key issues, including the environment and education, seniors and veterans. “I feel really positive,” she said. “I’m working with a great group of people and I’m really confident in our ability to get back to work on the the issues that matter most to the voters in District 69.”

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