The Rhode Island Republic – 8th Edition

The Rhode Island Republic

October 17, 2026

The Rhode Island Republic is the newsletter that delivers timely updates on RI Republican Party news, legislative developments, election integrity efforts, candidate spotlights, and commentary from our party leaders on state issues, helping Rhode Islanders stay informed about conservative perspectives and opportunities to get involved.

Chairman's Report:

Midterms Matter: The Danger of Complacency

As Rhode Island approaches the November 3rd midterm elections, there is a renewed sense of excitement surrounding the Republican Party and the candidates who have stepped forward to serve our state.

One of the most closely watched contests is the race for Lieutenant Governor, where Republican John Loughlin is challenging incumbent Sabina Matos. Reports of encouraging polling and positive reactions to John's debate performances have generated enthusiasm among Republicans across Rhode Island. But enthusiasm must never be mistaken for victory.

Elections are not won in polls, at debates, or through favorable headlines. They are decided by the voters who actually cast their ballots.

History has repeatedly demonstrated that overconfidence can be a campaign's greatest enemy. A candidate can have momentum, a compelling message, and widespread public support, yet still fall short when supporters assume the outcome is already decided.

John Loughlin's campaign represents more than a single statewide contest. His performance on Election Day could serve as an important bellwether for Republican candidates running for the Rhode Island House and Senate. The results may tell us much about the political direction of our state and the willingness of Rhode Islanders to consider new leadership.

Across Rhode Island, legislative candidates are competing in districts where relatively small numbers of votes can determine the outcome. These contests deserve every bit as much attention as the statewide races. The future composition of our General Assembly will influence decisions about taxation, affordability, education, public safety, and government accountability.

The weeks remaining before Election Day are an opportunity to turn enthusiasm into meaningful action. Volunteers can help by making phone calls, knocking on doors, distributing campaign materials, and assisting with voter outreach. Financial contributions can provide campaigns with the resources needed to communicate their messages across Rhode Island.

I encourage every Republican and every Rhode Islander concerned about our state's future to get involved, learn about John Loughlin's candidacy for Lieutenant Governor, and share information about his campaign with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.

Most importantly, make a plan to vote on November 3rd. Encourage others to participate, because no election is decided until the ballots are counted. The polls may suggest momentum, but only the voters can determine the outcome.

Forward together,

Allyn Meyers

Chairman, Rhode Island Republican Party

From the Desk of RI House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale

There are Republicans across Rhode Island running for office to serve on local school committees, town and city councils, in the General Assembly, in our General Offices, and in federal office.

These dedicated men and women have taken on an enormous responsibility. They have put portions of their lives on hold to run campaigns in neighborhoods across our beautiful state. They have put their names, their finances, their families, and months of hard work on the line for the opportunity to represent us.

We owe these patriotic Rhode Islanders a debt of gratitude for coming off the sidelines. We also owe them our vote.

Cycle after cycle, we look at the numbers after an election and see the same troubling reality: far too many Rhode Islanders simply do not vote, particularly in midterm elections like this year's 2026 General Election. Low voter turnout hurts Republican candidates at every level.

I recently had a conversation with a registered Republican in my district who repeated a line many of us have heard before: "Why bother? Nothing's going to change." That is a self-fulfilling prophecy and we should never accept that from anyone.

Nothing changes if we refuse to change the things that are within our power. Voting is absolutely within our power - and it is one of our most basic civic obligations.

There was a time when political campaigns looked at the weather forecast and said, "I hope it doesn't rain on Election Day. Turnout always suffers." That calculus no longer applies the way it once did.

Early voting and mail-ballot voting have dramatically expanded the opportunities Rhode Islanders have to cast their ballots. In this past Primary Election, Election Day voters accounted for 67.1% of ballots cast, early in-person voters accounted for 23.6%, and the remaining 9.3% were mail ballots.

Nearly one-third of primary voters cast their ballots before Election Day. People are increasingly voting in the way that best fits their lives, and we now see substantially more Rhode Islanders voting early in person than voting by mail. Yet despite all of those opportunities, only about 20.1% of Rhode Island's registered voters cast a ballot in the September primary.

When we look at who actually participated, it helps explain some of the results we saw. Providence Democratic primary voters nominated David Morales, an card-carrying Socialist, for Mayor. Meanwhile, Providence City Councilor Miguel Sanchez has announced that he believes he has secured enough votes among his fellow council members to become the next Council President. People are now looking around them saying, "How in the world did this happen?" 20.1% Voter turnout - that's how.

I frequently hear Republicans say, "Providence is lost." Maybe politically it feels that way. But do not think for one moment that what happens in Providence affects only Providence. Your precious tax dollars - wherever you live in Rhode Island - already flow into our capital city through state aid, education funding, transportation, housing programs, and numerous other state expenditures. Decisions made in Providence City Hall inevitably affect taxpayers far beyond the city limits. The direction Providence takes matters to every Rhode Island taxpayer.

That is why participation matters. The men and women who have placed the GOP badge on their chests and spent this year campaigning for office have every right to expect registered Republicans to take the steps necessary to ensure that their voices are heard.

And there is one unavoidable truth: A vote can only count if it is cast.

At this point, Early voting, and good old-fashioned Election Day voting give Rhode Islanders more opportunities than ever before to participate. Whether we are talking about General Officers, members of the General Assembly, town councils, school committees, or even Town Moderator, these offices matter. They touch nearly every aspect of our lives - from the education our children receive in our public schools, to the taxes we pay, to the regulations imposed on our businesses and communities, to the freedoms we retain as Americans.

Early voting begins October 14, and Election Day is November 3.

There is no reason why every Republican vote should not be cast by the time the polls close on November 3, 2026. A lot of good people have put their lives, their families, and their professions on pause to run for office because they believe Rhode Island can do better.

They are counting on us… We simply cannot let them down.

Respectfully,

House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale

Momentum Report: RIGOP Delivers on its Promises

On Sunday, October 4th, at Rhode Island Republican Party headquarters in Warwick, Chairman Allyn Meyers delivered on a commitment he made when running for Chairman earlier this year: to put the Party's resources behind Republican candidates.

The first round of campaign contribution checks was presented to Republican candidates, with additional support planned throughout the election cycle.

"When I ran for Chairman, I promised our candidates that this Party would have their backs, and today we are delivering," said Meyers. "A serious political party doesn't just recruit candidates and wish them luck. We raise money, promote them, provide resources, and help them win elections."

"This is an ongoing effort. Our candidates are stepping forward to fight for Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Republican Party is stepping forward with them."

Also pictured is Niyoka Powell, Republican Party Vice Chair, and Chris Mueller, Loughlin Campaign Manager. Other candidates not present are also receiving financial support from the RIGOP.

Rhode Island Needs an Energy Policy That Puts Ratepayers First

As winter approaches, Rhode Islanders face another season of punishing electric bills and growing concerns about whether the region can keep the lights and heat on during the coldest nights of the year. Families are struggling to manage household expenses, businesses are absorbing rising operating costs, and residents are left wondering why electricity keeps getting more expensive- and what state leaders intend to do about it.

Climate Mandates Come With Consequences

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity is bringing these concerns to the public through its animated video and awareness campaign, "Freezing in the Dark". Featuring a superhero named Rhode Scholar, the campaign warns that Rhode Island's climate policies and net-zero mandates could threaten both the affordability and reliability of electricity.

"Imagine flipping the switch and neither the lights nor the heat comes on," said Mike Stenhouse, the Center's CEO. He warned that the state's Act on Climate and net-zero requirements could jeopardize the financial and physical well-being of Ocean State families.

The concern is not simply that electricity bills are high today. It is whether Rhode Island is committing itself to increasingly demanding climate targets without adequately accounting for the cost of meeting them or ensuring that reliable power will be available when residents need it most.

Environmental goals do not eliminate the need for dependable electricity. Families cannot choose when they need heat, and businesses cannot operate without power. Energy policy must account for these practical realities rather than assume that ambitious mandates will automatically produce affordable, reliable results. Watch the video by clicking the link below.

The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story

The Rhode Island House Minority Caucus examined electricity costs in its report, "Truth & Consequences: Navigating the House 2026 Legislative Session". It shows that the average residential electricity price rose approximately 34% between 2020 and 2025, climbing from 22.01 cents to 29.46 cents per kilowatt-hour.

That increase deserves serious attention. Electricity is not an optional expense, and higher rates affect nearly every household and business in the state.

The report also breaks down the electric bill into four categories. Under this breakdown, 74% of the bill goes toward electricity supply, transmission, and state-mandated charges and taxes, rather than local delivery directly managed by RI Energy.

This matters because blaming the utility company, a common Democrat refrain, does not address the bigger picture. Electricity costs are also shaped by the infrastructure needed to move power, which is controlled by elected officials, and state policies that impose charges on ratepayers.

House Republicans argue that lawmakers must take a hard look at these costs, including the financial impact of the 2021 Act on Climate, renewable-energy requirements, and state-directed energy programs. Rhode Islanders should not be expected to accept steadily rising electricity bills without asking whether state policy is making the problem worse.

Natural Gas: A Critical Part of the Equation

Any serious discussion of Rhode Island's electricity supply must begin with a basic fact: natural gas accounts for approximately 90% of the electricity generated within the state.

Rhode Island produces virtually none of the natural gas it uses. Supplies come primarily from U.S. production regions, including the Appalachian basin, with additional supplies from Canada and imported liquefied natural gas.

During the recent Lieutenant Governor debate, Republican candidate John Loughlin challenged Democratic incumbent Sabina Matos on the difference between gasoline used to fuel vehicles and natural gas used to generate electricity. When Matos inaccurately attributed natural gas price pressures to the "illegal war" in the Middle East, Loughlin explained where Rhode Island's natural gas supply actually originates. Rhode Island's natural gas comes primarily from U.S. production regions, especially the Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, with additional supplies from Canada and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). In fact, he explained that since the war began, natural gas prices have remained almost the same.

The ability to transport sufficient natural gas into the region is also a critical consideration, especially during winter, when heating demand competes with power generation for natural gas. Loughlin argued that expanding the capacity of existing pipeline infrastructure serving New England could substantially lower costs, citing a potential reduction of as much as two-thirds.

What was clear from this candidate exchange was if elected officials are going to make decisions that affect energy costs for Rhode Island families and businesses, they need to understand the energy sources being discussed. Watch the exchange by clicking the link below.

A More Practical Approach to Energy Policy

Rhode Islanders deserve an energy policy that keeps electricity affordable, maintains a reliable power supply, and holds lawmakers accountable for the costs of their decisions. Achieving those goals requires a serious reassessment of the state's current approach before residents are left paying more for electricity while worrying about whether it will be there when they need it most.

A Message From Niyoka Powell, RIGOP Vice Chair

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission Presents Annual Essay Contest

As the Vice Chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission of Rhode Island, I am pleased to announce that entries are being accepted for the Annual Essay Contest through November 13th.

The Martin Luther King Jr. State Holiday Commission will be holding its annual celebration of the life of the great civil rights leader on Monday, January 18, beginning at 4 PM at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 475 Cranston Street, Providence.

The official holiday commemoration will include remarks by commission members, state and religious leaders, several musical presentations, and a number of awards will be presented. Middle and High School student essay award winners may read their winning submissions at school and at this annual ceremony.

Middle School Essay Prompt: Essays must be typed in Microsoft Word and limited to 500-700 words. One of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's most famous speeches is his "I Have a Dream" speech delivered on the March on Washington in 1963. If you could speak to Dr. King today, what would you say about him about the progress the country has made toward his dream?

High School Essay Prompt: Essays must be typed in Microsoft Word and limited to 750-1000 words. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned in his "I Have a Dream" speech that "Now is the time." In your essay, discuss how Dr. King sees urgency in his message. Compare and contrast how this phrase reflects the political and social climate of 1963 and 2026.

Essay must be submitted electronically by emailing [email protected] and the Parental Permission Form must be completed by the deadline of November 13th.

Four winners will be chosen, two middle and two high school students. Prizes of $200 for first place and $100 for second place will be awarded for each level.

Please share this opportunity with the young people in your community. Thank you!

Please contribute to the Republican Party of Rhode Island. Whether you can give $20, $200, or $2,000, your donation will directly support critical efforts including:

• Training Republican candidates
• Providing campaign assistance and resources
• Promoting events and grassroots activities
• Phone banking, canvassing, and get-out-the-vote operations

Every contribution helps advance our mission and strengthen our candidates running in the 2026 elections. Thank you.

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