Brien, Supporters Aim To Buck Write-in Hurdle Nov. 6
Dist. 50 incumbent's campaign faces daunting political history.
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Incumbent Rep. Jon Brien (D-Dist. 50) and his supporters launched a write-in campaign Thursday against Democratic primary victor Stephen Casey, defying the inauspicious history of such efforts with a mix of optimism and chagrin.
The last successful write-in campaign in RI was in 1990, according to Ian Donnis's blog, On Politics. Dist. 69 incumbent Mark Dailey failed to get enough votes to get on the ballot, and wound up running a write-in campaign against two other write-in candidates. Dailey won, but Brien's write-in effort faces an additional challenge: Casey is on the ballot.
Casey is on that ballot thanks to a 52 vote majority — hardly a resounding mandate, which gives Brien and his supporters confidence as they admit they could have done more during the primary.
"You know what? Shame on the group for doing things wrong, but you know what? We've got to work harder," said Jeanne Pepin-Budnick, co-owner of Pepin Lumber and a Brien supporter.
One of the reasons Pepin-Budnick wants to work harder is Brien's position on the supplemental tax bill. Though she said she knows a supplemental tax bill is inevitable, "I think with him, we're going to get a fair one," she said.
"To not see him on the House floor for the next two years would be a real travesty," said Richard Fagnant. Fagnant said Brien and his supporters don't need to rally a lot of votes to counter Casey's 52-vote majority. He admitted that assumes the same people from the primary will vote at the polls Nov. 6.
"He had a lot of things stacked up against him," Fagnant said, including switched polling places and union support for Casey.
Casey credited a dogged grass-roots effort and the support of his family, including his wife, father, brothers, uncles, and neices for his success. However, Golocalprov.com reported he also got some help from SEIU District 1199NE. The union, which represents about 4,000 RI health care workers, sent a mailer underlining Brien's role in legislation that allowed the state to loan $75 million to 38 Studios. The company's collapse this summer left RI taxpayers owing about $100 million in principal and interest, according to the Providence Journal.
Golocalprov.com reports Brien has said he didn't know the bill he sponsored was intended to benefit 38 Studios specifically. Most RI legislators have said they never got the opportunity to debate whether the bill, which set up the the Job Creation Guaranty Program, would send the lion's share of $125 million to 38 Studios. The claim rings true, according an analysis of the debacle posted by Politifact. But the mailer doesn't mention that.
Brien said he wasn't considering running a write-in campaign at all after losing the primary. "I just went out to pick up my lawn signs. I was OK," he said. But then he started getting calls from voters telling him not to give up, he said, and to keep running for Dist. 50. "And so, I decided, 'You know what, that's what I'm going to do,' " Brien said.
When asked about Casey's narrow victory and whether the people urging him to keep running could have done more to help him win the primary in the first place, Brien offered a rueful analysis. "I think that the narrative in the city was that Lisa (incumbent primary defender Lisa Baldelli-Hunt D-Dist. 49) was in trouble and I was OK," he said, which lulled supporters into a mistaken sense of security. But, "We live to fight another day and that's what we're going to do," Brien said.
During his speech, Brien asked voters to remember him at the voting booth, and to add his name in the space for Dist. 50, then fill in the arrow next to it. Brien also had a poster board with a sample write-in ballot from the most recent write-in campaign, an unsuccessful attempt by Bristol's Doug Gablinske in 2010 (see attached photo).
Common Sense
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
The Brien's are career politicians and he would have us believe that he was going to pick up his signs and put them in dad's garage? He has the nerve to question Casey's motives because he belongs to a union yet he gladly accepts a taxpayer funded pension and family healthcare plan all for PART TIME work. What a joke!
Manny S.
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
"A supplemental is inevitable".Defeated Woonsocket taxpayers will take the brunt of the depression again.Hardly a way to bring a city back.They're grasping at straws and the status quo won't work.A drastic downsizing is what's needed,taxpayers won't see it.This won't be the last one either,this city will continue to decline and the precedent will have been set.
DR
8:34 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
Manny a Supplemental Tax is not required.The Budget Commission could petition the State to loan the city the 20 million with interest. A win/ win for both the City and State it could be a pilot program for other distressed cities in the State.Maybe Jon Brien could round up support.The loan would be paid back in say 10 years after the necessary cuts have been made.
Eastie
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Nothing but sour grapes from someone who thinks he is entitled to whatever he wants. This attitude is why he lost, 'I was OK, Lisa was in trouble', how could anyone beat me. Or is it that now his family loses their free health care, or that he doesn't yet have enough years at the State House for a pension from a part time job. I am not a union member and do not live in his district, but I would be insulted by him saying we were confused as to where to vote.
P.S. Why wasn't the press conference in his district and so many of the supporters there also not from his district?
Linda
2:07 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Excellent points! Thank you. I hope Casey prevails. Brien is a DINO.
Silence Dogood
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
The PATCH appears to be giving Brien a great deal of free advertising for his political campaign. Isn't Casey supposed to be entitled to equal coverage?
Rob Borkowski
11:39 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
A politician running a write-in campaign against historic odds, trying to rally a base he admittedly didn't try hard enough to reach in the primary, pitting a conservative - leaning Democrat against a fellow Democrat when many voters may have thought the race was all but over, is a story worthy of more than my initial two paragraphs and a video of the press conference.
If voters are going to choose between Jon Brien and Stephen Casey again Nov. 6, I felt I should try to answer the question I would be asking myself as a voter: What is Jon Brien doing differently this time and why didn't he do it during the primary?
I'm not sure I'd say any politician is entitled to story-by-story parity of coverage, but Woonsocket voters are probably wondering how Stephen Casey is reacting to all this. I hope to write about that soon. If Casey holds his own press conference, I'll cover that too. For what it's worth, there are issues raised in this story that were not mentioned in the press release.
AxeAdcox
10:28 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Ron maybe you shouldn't be trying to answer the question as to what Brien is doing differently. Maybe you should let him answer the question we he goes door to door like Casey did. That's right he doesn't have to, you are doing it for him.
Rob Borkowski
10:32 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
AxeAdcox: 1) My name is Rob. 2) You're correct. Anyone who reads my story will know the answers to the questions I posed to a political candidate running for office. I think you may be confusing the mission of journalism with your personal desires.
russell archambault
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Who is that handsome guy looking over the ballot, lets all meet him to get his point of view ! Could he be our new mayor?
Glee Violette
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Jon Brien lost because word has gotten out that he is a Tea Party Republican masquerading as a Democrat, and follows the Republican agenda. He is co-chair of ALEC in RI, the Corporate-Politician Alliance which has been pushing legislation to keep people from voting, erode women's rights, and even make public schools teach religious Creationism. Brien was the one responsible for the Republican Voter ID Law being passed in RI. He is for vouchers for Social Security and Medicare, tax cuts for the rich and tax hikes for the rest of us. Of course he is desperately trying to write himself back into office - he was being groomed by ALEC for bigger and better things than representing Woonsocket.
Linda
2:07 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
That's it Glee!!! Thanks for saying it! :-)
Seymour
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Why does this guy bother? He couldn't win when he was actually on the ballot. He must have got heavy pressure to run a write-in campaign from his friends in the Taxpayer's Union err coalition.
Memere
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Whether Mr. Brien is right or wrong in his support of the city, he is beginning to sound like a sore loser. And I speak as one who has supported Mr. Brien in the past. I do not think this is helping his cause. It certainly will not help those who are on the fence to see him in a good light and to vote for him.
Mike Tetreault
11:04 am on Saturday, September 22, 2012
Stella,Stella! I couldn't resist.
Marc Beauregard
3:46 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012
I have heard it all. "I was targeted" oh god get over yourself John. Get out in the real world and pay for your healthcare like the rest of us.
common cents
3:46 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012
What would be proper etiquette if one were to loose an election?You would think one would call the winner and congratulate him on a job well done.Even if you weren't about to give up just yet.Character is a trait I would look for in a candidate.
I just don't see any in Mr.Brien.My suggestion to him would be to try the humble pie.It doesn't taste good but it is good for you.
Yvette M Ayotte
3:46 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012
I, for one, is very happy that Jon is doing a write-in, Woonsocket can't afford to lose a great Rep like him.
Brian O'Ryan
11:58 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012
"I is very happy"? You am need for to #1-get your ballot. #3-write John Biren's name. And then #B-connect the arrows. It are very simple.
DR
8:34 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
Yvette I agree with you and I am sure Jon will do well. I give you credit for all the positive you do in this city-Woonsocket needs more people like you.
David Bouchard
8:34 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
But Yvette, of course you'd back JB; you are a right-wing Republican. I think Jon Brien is the best thing for the right-wingers of this state; this stealth Republican gets elected as a Democrat and maintains a Republican agenda, even to the point of his support of Republican candidates for Congress. I think he has a good chance of winning his write-in campaign considering he'll have the support of monied Republicans, ALEC, Tea Party, etc. Mr. Casey better get out there and get his name known.
common cents
10:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Because he has done so much for us so far.If you think he knew nothing about the 38 studios money you are pretty naive.The bill jumped in in one week the exact amount Shilling was looking for.I'm sure that's just a coincidence.Only rep Watson saw that coming,I don't think so.
Govstench
3:46 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012
These write in campaigns rarely work. Doug Gablinski in Bristol tried to do that and it got him no where. Jon would be better off, sitting it out for a couple of years and then come back re-charged ready to go.
Ed Roy
12:01 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
OK, one of the many reasons Brien lost is because Lisa Baldelli was thought to be in trouble and he was not. So the people of District 50 didn't vote because Brien could not possibly loose. Once again Briens elitist attitude shines. In this article it is not the Union Bosses, the confusion of where to vote or the change in Districts, it's a false sense of security by the District 50 voters. Whats next? Brien should move on and try and help his Republican friends get elected in Nov.. The reason he lost is because the people of District 50 are not as dumb as he thinks they are. They know what he is all about.
Jan Allard
12:51 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
Waa, Waa, waa, oh please, be a man and face it Jon, you LOST. Now join the rest of us WORKING POOR and buy your own health benefits and work harder instead of depending on municipalities to pay your way in life. You and your wife are lawyers, I'm sure you could drum up some business. I think it's pathetic that you expected to win.
Brian O'Ryan
1:40 pm on Sunday, September 23, 2012
If John Biren represents District 50, why did he hold his press conference at Pepin's which isn't even in his district? And, furthermore, why would he have small business owners there that don't own businesses in the district he wants back? And, furthermore still, why would people drive across the whole city to attend this, but not drive two minutes to another polling place to vote for him??? His ego and arrogance amazes me.
Marc Beauregard
8:34 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
The nerve of John Brien.What does he have against Beauchmin Lumber? Why didn't he have his press conference there?
Brian O'Ryan
8:34 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
John Biren's attitude = used car salesman attitude. "I'm gonna get you into this lemon of a car and you are gonna like it!"
Mew
8:34 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
STELLA STELLA, I LOST THE PRIMARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JON, JON i KNOW, i LOST MY SEAT ON THE CITY COUNCIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE ARROGANCE OF THE TWO POLITICIANS !!
They will actually have to pay for health insurance!! Welcome to the real world!!!!
Yvette, why am I not surprised that you want Jon back in the G.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DR
1:46 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Since you guys don't like Stella she must be doing something right. I would like to see her run for City Council. She would have my vote.
Mew
5:48 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
sHE HAS DONE THAT, BEEN THERE!!! SHE LOST AFTER TWO TERMS, i was very fond of thelady, I voted for her, but somwhere along the way she became arrogant, I wonder who she takes after!!!!!! She was not willing to take a cut in her council pay when everyone else did. She found nothing wrong with the increase in the trash tax!!!n Go ahead and vote for her if she runs again, It;s a free country!!
common cents
5:48 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Mrs. Brien was out of touch with reality and that is why she is gone.
At a city council meeting she said the ice rink at river island park should be funded while the city is in ruin.The cost to fund that ice rink 50k.The reason to fund it ,it's a quality of life issue.Are you kidding me.As a life long resident and employee of this city I was appalled.We used to go to cass park or bernon park to skate when I was a kid. Very fiscally responsible.not
Mew
10:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Common, I absolutely agree with you, I learned to swim in Social Pond many years ago, I skated on Social Pond in the winter, it was free and I'm still here to talk about it. That's why Mrs. Brien is no longer a council member. Im so happy that the two of them will be paying for their health insurance and not me!!!!
Brian O'Ryan
10:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
She proved her worth on the city council when she stated that she doesn't read the local paper and had no clue as to the issues the city was facing. Too busy reading her Snapple bottle label, I guess??? Lol! Hollywood couldn't write a funnier comedy than what John and Stella provide for us!!!
russell archambault
10:52 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
common cents; I think i saw you at cass park in the sixties when the ice seemed frozen all winter long. I haven't seen cass park frozen for years,and my quality of life has been going down hill ever since, for proof as you can see i'm on patch for the only excitement left in my life !
Yvette M Ayotte
10:28 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thank you Brian for correcting my english, I can always count on you for compliments, etc. Bottom line, I'm not running for anything but Jon is and we admire and respect his knowledge, experience and confidence. This is what Woonsocket needs at a time like this.
common cents
7:02 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Yvette,He has been there since 06 and we've seen zilch from him.Tell me how he's helped this city.Please,I really want to believe.
John
1:09 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Yvette, Do you make over 250 thousand dollars a year? If not, please tell me how Jon Brien works for you when he votes for tax breaks for the rich?
Do you agree with Jon when he voted to cut State Aid to Education by 10 percent? That was devastating to an urban community like Woonsocket, equivalent to about 4.8 million a year taken away from our childrens education. Oh, and what is the school departments deficit 2 years after that vote? About 10 million.
How is he working for his constituents in Woonsocket? Please help me understand.
David T
4:32 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Exactly John! Someone please explain to us how this old mill city benefits from a guy who worries more about the very wealthy than about his typical constituent who put him in office. If John's post is accurate regarding Brien's voting record on state education funding, then we should be blaming Brien, in part, for the deficit rather than thanking him for anything. He should have been using that infamous arrogance and determination on fighting for every last vote on the GA floor for our schools and ultimately the city. EXPLAIN!!!
Brian O'Ryan
7:01 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Yvette, when you say, "we admire and respect his knowledge, experience and confidence" please don't speak for all of us! Woonsocket needs John Brien at a time like this??? If you think your support of John Brien is going to get you from receiving a supplemental tax...you are crazy, girl! It's coming no matter what. Union concessions will help but we will most definitely receive a tax as well. So, why support John? What is his major accomplishment that has amazed you??? VOTER ID??? You have got to be kidding us! John has an agenda...and it is right in line with his ALEC bosses!!! Tax breaks for the wealthy and pinching everything they can from the middle class. http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/What_is_ALEC%3F#What_is_ALEC.3F
Do some research on the guy you claim to have so much admiration and respect for, Yvette! Oh, and check out http://www.rifuture.org/brien-joins-alec-board-as-group-comes-under-fire.html
"Brien said he was just named to the group’s “governing body” in the past month. He said he was introduced to ALEC by former Woonsocket lawmaker and majority leader Jerry Martineau, a past state chair of ALEC who served jail time for political corruption for using his position in the General Assembly to curry business favors with CVS and Blue Cross. “Jerry and I have always been friends,” Brien said. “I wanted to pick up that mantle.”
Yeah, John REALLY seems like the type of individual to be admired and respected!
Seymour
5:42 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I'd still like someone to hold Brien accountable for his radio ad that stated he saved the City of Woonsocket 6.1 million dollars this year alone by voting for pension reform. How did that bill save Woonsocket 6 million dollars this year?
John Labeau
8:26 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Hmmmm, this makes for interesting reading...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/19/1101359/-How-ALEC-Uses-Budget-Crises-To-Hijack-Small-Towns
John Labeau
8:26 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I love the first comment under the article, "Republicans, like Rick Scott, or Scott Walker, or this Jon Brien guy, are the real Manchurian candidates. They say one thing but they are actually out to destroy your town, state, economy and democracy. Will the people notice?"
And, the answer is YES! The people DID notice on Sept. 11th When we voted him out! Then the egotistic Brien launched his write-in campaign, probably pushed to do so by the ALEC organization. The people WILL NOTICE once again on Nov. 6th!
DR
8:26 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Is that all you guys have on Jon Brien? Its not looking too good for Mr. Casey you better start putting more effort into this campaign.
common cents
7:02 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
DR ,What do you have on Jon Brien?And hows it not looking good for Casey?Does he have to resort to a write in campaign to get in?I don't believe he does.
John Labeau
8:11 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The choice is very clear...do a Google search for "Jon Brien corruption" or "Jon Brien scandal" and you will find all the same information as I did regarding Woonsocket's very own Jon Brien. Then, do the same with Stephan Casey's name and you will find him involved in NO wrong-doing. NOTHING! THE CHOICE IS CLEAR! That is unless you want Jon Brien and his ALEC bosses hijacking the city of Woonsocket for another 2 years!
DR
8:11 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
What do I have on JON Brien? The answer is nothing he has my support as a taxpayer-you guys are the experts.
John Labeau
8:26 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
And this is who you would like as Rep. of District 50? The same person who, when asked about issues in our very own city, admittedly says, "I don't know. I'm a state legislator"?
http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=620187036&targetid=profile
He went on to say that the municipal unions - police, firefighters, teachers - "have been given pensions and benefits the city can no longer afford" but have no incentive to renegotiate. But a receiver, with the wave of his magic wand, can instantly cut their pensions, and there isn't a thing they can do about it. When I asked Brien how bad the pension problem was in Woonsocket, he told me he didn't know. "I'm a state legislator," he said.
John Labeau
8:26 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
And the hits just keep on coming...
http://www.golocalprov.com/news/aaron-regunberg-ri-can-shows-its-true-colors/
The Rocket
9:12 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Defeatist supplemental supporters will be sorry,this city's drowning in debt.The people in Greece are shouting today that "they're drinking your blood".That's what they're doing in Woonsocket,death by a thousand cuts.Keep taking it and follow your leaders into the abyss.
Yvette M Ayotte
8:48 pm on Sunday, October 28, 2012
Watch it Mr O'ryan, I may reveal your true identity.