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New York City might be a 180-mile drive from Providence, but that hasn’t stopped some of Rhode Island’s most recognizable political figures from jumping into the city's high-stakes mayoral race.
The Democratic primary is today, and the frontrunners in the 11-candidate field are former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and state Representative Zohran Mamdani — with supporters and donors from Rhode Island lining up on both sides.
To win, a candidate must earn more than 50 percent of the vote in a ranked choice system that allows voters to select up to five candidates they support in the race.
Cuomo has led most polls until recently, but an Emerson College survey released yesterday found that Mamdani has caught up. The winner will advance to the November election to take on incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and several other candidates (Cuomo and Mamdani are also eligible to participate in the general election if they don’t emerge as the clear winner today.)
So what are the Rhode Island connections to the race?
To start, former Providence mayor Joe Paolino has put his money where his mouth is, donating $25,000 to Fix the City, a super PAC that is backing Cuomo and has spent more than $16 million on the race. Paolino, a lifelong Yankees fan and friend of the Cuomo family, also donated $2,100 to Cuomo’s campaign on April 10, records show.
Don Sweitzer, a former top executive at IGT and a longtime Democratic Party influencer, also gave $1,000 to Cuomo’s campaign.
If Cuomo represents the traditional, more moderate arm of the Democratic Party, Mamdani has emerged as the favorite among progressives – and some of Rhode Island’s top organizers are all-in on his campaign.
State Senators Meghan Kallman and Tiara Mack, Representatives Cherie Cruz, David Morales, and Jennifer Stewart, and Providence City Councilors Rachel Miller, Sue Anderbois, Justin Roias, and Miguel Sanchez are all scheduled to make phone calls to voters on Mamdani’s behalf today.
The phone banking session is organized by Dan Denvir, a prominent progressive voice in Rhode Island.
Mamdani has reported at least 38 small-dollar donations from Rhode Island residents, including $25 from state Representative Teresa Tanzi on March 12.
It’s all a good reminder that the ideological fault lines dividing Democrats in New York are alive and well in Rhode Island, too.
What is the hottest day on record in Rhode Island history?
(The answer is below.)
Do you have the perfect question for Rhode Map readers? Don't forget to send the answer, too. Shoot me an email today.
The Globe in Rhode Island
⚓ Providence residents won’t get their property tax bills until mid-July at the earliest, and the delay means the city won't be able to pay some of its bills on time. My colleague Steph Machado explains what's happening. Read more.
⚓ A time capsule from baseball’s longest game has been opened in Pawtucket. Read more.
⚓ Rev. Diane Badger uncovered a 178-year-old scroll where 116 American Baptist ministers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire had condemned slavery 14 years before the Civil War began. Read more.
⚓ In an opinion piece for Globe Rhode Island, Cameron LaFreniere explains that a lagging economy and issues with housing and transportation are forcing him to leave the state. Read more.
You can check out all of our coverage at Globe.com/RI
Also in the Globe
⚓ A tentative truce faltered Tuesday when Israel accused Iran of launching missiles into its airspace after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect and vowed to retaliate. Read more.
⚓ Massachusetts legislative leaders, vowing to make lawmaking more transparent and efficient, unveiled a deal Monday that would make more of their votes and testimony public and rework their decades-old legislative calendar. Read more.
⚓ Cooper Flagg will be the top pick of the NBA Draft tomorrow night. Newport, Maine, couldn’t be prouder. Read more.
⚓ Leadership from the United Nurses & Allied Professionals Local 5098 are holding a 1 p.m. press conference outside of Rhode Island Hospital to discuss a strike authorization vote by their members.
⚓ The board for the Rhode Island Life Science Hub meets at 9 a.m. Here's the agenda.
⚓ The state Council on Elementary and Secondary Education meets at 5:30 p.m. Here's the agenda.
🏆 Pop quiz answer
On Aug. 2, 1975, the temperature in Providence hit 104 degrees.
RHODE ISLAND REPORT PODCAST Ed Fitzpatrick talked with Eva Erickson, the Brown University PhD candidate who became the first openly autistic person to compete on the "Survivor" TV show. Listen to all of our podcasts here.
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