David Bennett
| David Bennett | ||
 | ||
| Rhode Island House of Representatives District 20 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2011 - Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 6, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 2 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $14,185.95/year | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | 2010 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Rhode Island's 20th District takes in the neighborhoods of Norwood, Hillsgrove, and Greenwood and parts of Apponaug, Pontiac Mills, Lakewood and Spring Green.
Entering the race on May 12, 2010, Bennett said, "We need a fresh, new perspective at the State House. I think Representative Gemma has some nice accomplishments, but I think its time we’ve gotten some fresh, new blood up there.”
Addressing the markedly left-leaning positions of his new opponent, incumbent Al Gemma replied, "He’s a progressive, you know what that means right? It means socialist...This will be my 19th election and I’m ready for it. I’m new blood. I’m old blood. I’m everything. I haven’t stopped fighting for the people since 1974 when I got involved.”[1]
Biography
Bennett has been a psychiatric nurse for the past nine years. Prior to becoming an R.N., he worked as an orderly and a surgical assistant.
Bennett is a Rhode Island native, the youngest of six; his father was a truck driver and belonged to the Teamsters while his mother was a housewife. He and his wife, Ann, reside in Warwick, RI, in the same home where Bennett grew up. David and Ann have child, an adopted daughter named Giana, 10.
Education
- Community College of Rhode Island, R.N.
- Rhode Island College, B.A., Psychology
- Rhode Island Junior College, Associate's Degree, Education and Social Work
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Bennett served on the following committees:
| Rhode Island Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Health, Education and Welfare | ||||
| • Municipal Government | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Bennett served on these committees:
| Rhode Island Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Environment and Natural Resources | ||||
| • Health, Education and Welfare | ||||
Elections
2012
Bennett won re-election in the 2012 election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 20. Bennett was unopposed in the September 11 Democratic primary and was unopposed in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[2]
| Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 20, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  David Bennett Incumbent |
97.1% | 3,884 | |
| Other | Write-in | 2.9% | 114 | |
| Total Votes | 3,998 | |||
2010
Bennett defeated incumbent Alfred Gemma in the September 14 Democratic primary and defeated Republican Henri Koldyk and Moderate William Pierce, III in the November 2 general election.[3][4]
| House District 20, Democratic Primary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| David Bennett (D)
|
902 | |||
| Alfred Gemma (D) | 532 | |||
| Rhode Island House District 20 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| David Bennett (D)
|
2660 | |||
| Henri Koldyk (R) | 1527 | |||
| William Pierce, III (M) | 427 | |||
2008
In 2008, John Revens announced he would not run again for the state Senate seat he had held for the past 40 years. Bennett vied for the open seat against Erin Lynch, whom Revans had backed. Bennett came within ten votes, but ultimately lost the primary to Lynch.
Bennett weighed challenging Lynch in her first election as incumbent but ultimately chose to take on Rep. Al Gemma in 2010.[5]
In 2008, Bennett appealed the amazing close primary between himself and Lynch. The recount actually shaved one vote his total and led to Lynch's victory being certifed by the State Board of Elections.[6]
Bennett went on to ask the high court to stay the Board's decision and grant him an expedited appeal. His lawyer, Angel Tavares, said he had evidence of improperly filled out ballots and of Republicans who has voted in the Democratic primary.
At the time, Bennett commented, “Any time there’s a vote this close, you just want to make sure that every vote is counted.” Erin Lynch seconded her opponent in his request for a recount, saying, "I would have done the exact same thing...I just met him for the first time today. He’s a nice guy. He wished me luck and I wished him luck. After two months of campaigning, we’ve continued to be civil. That’s a testament to his campaign.” However, she added on a note putting her at odds with Bennett's push for an injunction and hearing: “We both fought hard and worked hard,” she said. “Now I’ve got to get ready for the General Election.”
In between his unsucessful 2008 candidacy and his 2010 bid, Bennett particpated in SEIU run candidate training camps.[7]
Campaign donors
2012
Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.
2010
In 2010, Bennett raised $22,969 in campaign donations. The top contributors to the campaign are listed below.[8]
| Rhode Island House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top contributors to David Bennett's campaign in 2010 | |
| Rhode Island Alliance Of Social Service Employees | $2,000 |
| National Education Association Rhode Island | $1,500 |
| New England Health Care Employees | $1,000 |
| Rix, Jeremy | $960 |
| United Nurses & Allied Professionals | $850 |
| Total Raised in 2010 | $22,969 |
2008
Bennett has raised a total of $7,960, including $1,450 from labor unions - his largest supporters - and a $100 self-financing donation. To date, his donations are 86% in-state, with the remaining $1,100 coming from Hartford, CT.
Given that Democratic primary opponent Al Gemma has $10,123 by the primary, Bennett's victory is something of an upset on the funding front.
| Contributor | 2010 total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| New England Health Care Employees | $1,000 | 12.56% |
| Jeremy Rix | $750 | 9.52% |
| Donald W. Tufts | $500 | 6.28% |
| Dave's Bar & Grill | $300 | 3.77% |
| Brina Hull | $300 | 3.77% |
Endorsements
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
- National Educators' Association (NEA)
- Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Candidate contact information
Campaign HQ: Friends of David Bennett, PO Box 8195, Warwick, Rhode Island 02888
E-mail: friendsofdavidbennett@gmail.com
Phone: (401)648-1171
Personal
Bennet and his wife, Ann, have one child.
External links
- House website
- Project Vote Smart Bio
- Project Vote Smart legislative profile
- Campaign contributions: 2010
- David Bennett of FaceBook
References
- ↑ Rhode Island Future, "Rep. Gemma: Progressives are Socialists… Really?!?!", May 13, 2010
- ↑ Candidates in Upcoming Elections "Rhode Island Secretary of State," Accessed July 9, 2012
- ↑ Unofficial results for Rhode Island District 20 state representative Democratic primary, 9/14/2010
- ↑ General election results
- ↑ Providence Examiner, "Draft David Bennett for Rhode Island State Rep.", March 26, 2010
- ↑ Providence Journal, "Recount affirms Senate race win in Warwick", September 16, 2008
- ↑ SEIU, "David Bennett, SEIU Member and RN, running for Rhode Island State House", August 27, 2010
- ↑ Follow the Money - 2010 Campaign Contributions
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alfred Gemma (D) |
Rhode Island House of Representatives - District 20 2011–present |
Succeeded by NA |
 |
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