Following weeks of criticism from opposition and plummeting approval ratings, Rep. David Cicilline '83, D-R.I., publicly apologized last week for misleading voters about the city's finances during his tenure as Providence mayor.
While campaigning for Congress in 2010, Cicilline claimed Providence was in "excellent financial condition." But in February, when Mayor Angel Taveras declared that the city was facing a $120 million structural deficit and the threat of bankruptcy, Cicilline's claim was proven false. Taveras has stated the city will likely declare bankruptcy if the deficit is not closed by June.
"I was overly optimistic about some of the challenges we faced," Cicilline told The Herald. He added that he "accept(s) responsibility for every decision" he made during his terms as mayor.
Wendy Schiller, associate professor of political science and public policy, said Cicilline's decision to come out with this apology was a risk because it allows his opposition to press him further on the issue, but she added that she is "not sure if he had a choice."
When Cicilline visited campus to speak at a meeting of the Brown Democrats last week, he stressed the importance of the Democrats reclaiming leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives - a feat that can only be achieved if the party gains an additional 24 seats. But current polls show that Cicilline risks losing his seat in a historically liberal district to a Republican challenger.
Brendan Doherty, Cicilline's Republican opponent and former superintendent of Rhode Island state police, said in a press release last week that the incumbent evaded the question of his involvement in Providence's financial decline for "nearly 18 months." Doherty said Cicilline has yet to accept full responsibility for his involvement in the city's fiscal crisis.
"David Cicilline's deception and mismanagement contributed to this crisis, and the consequences are real for municipal employees," Doherty said in the press release, calling Cicilline's apology "too little, too late."
Doherty is leading Cicilline by 15 points, according to the latest poll conducted by WPRI-12.
"I've been fighting for things I know will strengthen the middle class of our state," Cicilline told The Herald.
At this point in the race, the only hope Cicilline has is to be "saved by the Democratic coattails," Schiller said. Voters in the first congressional district will already be voting for President Obama and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and if Cicilline is lucky, they will just opt to vote the party line, she added.
Adding another dimension to the race, Anthony Gemma, a local businessman, announced April 15 that he would be running against Cicilline in the Democratic primary. Gemma campaigned unsuccessfully for this seat two years ago, finishing second in the four-way primary and losing to Cicilline by 14 points.
Few details concerning Gemma's campaign have been revealed. After announcing his candidacy, Gemma drove off, refusing to speak to the press. A representative of Gemma's campaign could not be reached for comment.
But during his speech announcing his candidacy, Gemma said that his experience in the plumbing and media-buying businesses will aid him in facilitating job creation at both the state and national level.
"I won't have to apologize for lying so I could win your vote under false pretenses," Gemma said at the press conference. Based on Cicilline's current poll numbers, a different Democrat is needed to beat Doherty, Gemma added.
