By ALEX MALM

With candidates’ declaration period set for this week Committeemen and Committeewoman along with town and city party chairs made their way Sunday evening to the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Cranston for the 2022 Rhode Island Democratic Party convention to endorse  candidates for statewide office races. The convention, moderated by party Chair Rep. Joseph McNamara convened at 6 p.m. and  adjourned by 9 p.m.

Here are the party choices are extracts from candidates seeking endorsement:

Governor

In the Governor’s race Gov. Dan McKee received 81 which gave him exactly 50 percent of the vote.

“At this critical moment when we must protect reproductive rights, pass common sense gun legislation, and continue our strong economic momentum, I’m looking forward to helping elect Democrats up and down the ballot as our nominee,” said McKee. “Our campaign has powerful momentum and I’m energized each day by the positive reception from voters in Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns. Our campaign is in a strong position, and I earned this important endorsement because I have delivered real results for Rhode Island. We have implemented one of the best vaccine rollouts in America and, now, our unemployment rate is at the lowest it’s been in over 30 years. Working together with the General Assembly and municipal leaders across Rhode Island, we’ve delivered major investments in affordable housing and renewable energy, reforms that will make our schools and communities safer from gun violence, eliminated the car tax, provided tax relief for small businesses, support for children and families by passing a child tax rebate and legislation to ‘Cover All Kids’, we’ve passed recreational use of cannabis, implemented a $15 minimum wage, and strengthened protections for voting rights.”

Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, who is term limited and running for governor,  received 58 votes, with former CVS Executive Helena Foulkes receiving six votes. Dr. Luis Daniel Munoz received one vote and seven people abstained or voted not to endorse anyone.

Former Secretary of State Matt Brown said that he knew he wouldn’t win the endorsement but used the opportunity to promote the slate of progressive candidates running with him as part of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative.

“The institution in this country that people are most depending on to fight to restore [reproductive] rights is the Democratic Party… Tonight I am calling on the party to refuse to endorse candidates that don’t support the party platform, including the right to an abortion,” said Brown. “That means the party should endorse Lenny Cioe over Dominick Ruggerio, Clara Hardy over Arthur Corvese, Marlene Guay over Robert Phillips, Damian Lima over Raymond Hull, Zakary Pereira over Joseph Solomon, Eric Asselin over Frank Lombardi, Arthur Flanders over Frank Ciccone, and Jen Rourke over Michael McCaffrey.”

2nd Congressional District

In the race to succeed Congressman Jim Langevin, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner picked up the endorsement with 67 votes.

“I am honored to earn the endorsement of the Rhode Island Democratic Party,” said Magaziner. “There is so much at stake in this election and I will fight to protect a woman’s right to choose, to keep our kids safe from gun violence, to transition our country to clean energy, and to protect Social Security and Medicare from attempts to cut benefits.”

Former Langevin staff member, Joy Fox said ahead of the convention she wouldn’t be seeking the party’s endorsement.

“I’m writing to let you know that I will not be seeking endorsement at the convention, and rather encourage you to unite our party and allow the voters to decide our nominee. This will help ensure victory for the Democratic nominee in the General Election,” said Fox in a letter to the State Democratic Committee.

Former state Rep. David Segal received five votes while Sarah Morgenthau received four votes. Providence Firefighter Cameron Moquin  received no votes.

Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Gov. Sabina Matos earned the party’s endorsement with 83 votes.

State Sen. Cynthia Mendes, who is running with Brown, came away with 12 votes. A total of 68 people abstained or voted not to endorse anyone in the race.

State Rep. Deb  Ruggiero who previously received the endorsement of a number of lawmakers including House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi told the Committee she wouldn’t be seeking the party’s endorsement.

General Treasurer

In the race for General Treasurer former Central Falls mayor James Diossa beat out former Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor in what turned out to be the closest contest of the evening.

Pryor in a statement downplayed the endorsement saying that he recently entered the race.

“It’s certainly not surprising that the other campaign received the endorsement of those assembled today. My opponent serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the state committee and has been campaigning for this endorsement for many months,” said Pryor. “What is surprising -- and very encouraging -- is that we had such a strong showing. Having been in the race for a short time, I’m energized by the support I had in the room tonight and the momentum our campaign continues to build.  Our campaign is well positioned to win the primary and to keep this statewide seat out of Republican control. We also have a compelling vision for the Treasurer’s office and the experience to back it up.”

Uncontested nominations

Attorney General Peter Neronha, Congressman David Cicillini, and state Rep. Greg Amore who is running for Secretary of State all received endorsements on Sunday.  As of press time the three were running unopposed in the primary.

The Republicans were set to meet for their endorsement convention on Wednesday evening.