Kapstein emerges; Roberts gears up
Those expecting a hard-fought Democratic primary for lieutenant governor have been disappointed so far. For most Rhode Islanders, deep-pocketed Red Sox exec Jeremy Kapstein has remained most visible through his prime seat behind home plate at Fenway Park. But Kapstein is showing signs of heightened activity, making a few talk radio appearances – one of which gave rise to newspaper reports about his criticism of RI’s tactics in luring Curt Schilling’s video game company, 38studios:
Kapstein told WPRO-AM [last Friday] that he had nothing against Schilling or his representatives, but if the company fails, the taxpayers will be on the hook for $75 million.
“I have serious questions about the viability of that kind of an offer to a company that is full of questions,’’ he told the station.
Meanwhile, incumbent LG Elizabeth Roberts formally launched her reelection bid this past weekend, smartly adopting what her campaign calls a statewide door-knocking campaign:
“I have been out on the front lines with small businesses, working to keep them open when credit dried up and customers disappeared,” said Roberts. “There is so much more to be done to make Rhode Island a place where businesses can start, grow and succeed.”
Roberts also cites driving down the costs of health insurance for Rhode Island businesses and families as a major driver in her candidacy. “It is absolutely essential that we implement the federal reform in the way that serves Rhode Islanders best. I am going to make sure that this new federal law makes Rhode Island a more prosperous, healthier state.”
Whether Kapstein will make a similar commitment to retail campaigning — a must in little Rhode Island — remains to be seen. As of the writing of this post, a message left at his campaign office yesterday afternoon had yet to be returned.
