As we inch closer to election day, the small number of Trump supporters in Rhode Island have become more vocal, waving flags on the bay, holding small gatherings, and participating in other similar events where they hold out an unrealistic hope that their candidate will win the majority of the presidential vote in our state on Nov. 3.

And while Trump stands as much chance of winning in Rhode Island as we have of seeing a blizzard on the Fourth of July, what these Trump sycophants don’t realize is the fact that they may actually be hurting local and statewide candidates who quietly share their views, but are afraid to publicly express them.

The voters in the local and statewide primary held last month sent a loud and clear message that “traditional family values” candidates who espouse similar views as Trump are not wanted nor supported in our town and our state, and it’s crystal clear that voters in Rhode Island plan on following the same voting pattern next month. And while the local candidates running for town and state office have refrained from openly endorsing or denouncing Trump, there are a number of candidates who are running on the “traditional family values” platform, which may very well lead to their demise.

These local candidates running on the “traditional family values” ticket have been relatively cryptic regarding their true feelings, but it’s quite easy for a voter to read between the lines, and see these “traditional family values” candidates for what they truly are — closet supporters of Trump who don’t want to risk their political fortunes by publicly endorsing him. Unfortunately for them, when you don’t publicly criticize and denounce Trump’s record of racism, homophobia, and divisiveness, you are tacitly endorsing and supporting his views.

Local voters have a clear choice in candidates for town council, school committee, and state offices on Nov. 3, and would be very wise to avoid the candidates who support the current dictator-in chief, whether publicly or privately, and support those who will move our town and state forward and not move it backward under the guise of “traditional family values.”

Mike Proto
Bristol