Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers Blasts State's Top Democrats Over Political Contribution Scandal: Demands Return of Dirty Money and Creation of Office of the Inspector General

Warwick, RI - Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers slammed the state’s top Democrats today after a shocking report from GoLocalProv revealed that the state’s most powerful Democratic leaders, including Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and Governor Dan McKee, took large campaign contributions from the same companies the state is now suing over the Washington Bridge failure.

“This report reveals the rot at the core of Rhode Island’s Democratic leadership,” said Powers. “While the McKee administration sues these companies for gross negligence and breach of contract, the truth is out: these same companies have been lining the pockets of our state’s most influential Democrats. It’s a disgusting display of pay-to-play politics that reeks of corruption and betrayal of the public trust.”

“The timing of these donations is no coincidence. It’s clear these firms bought access and influence at the highest levels of our government while Rhode Islanders were left with a crumbling bridge and a massive bill. Governor McKee, Speaker Shekarchi, and every other Democrat who took this dirty money must return it immediately. Anything less is an admission that they value their campaign coffers more than the people they were elected to serve.

“Rhode Island has become a cesspool of corruption under Democratic rule. We need an Office of the Inspector General with teeth— one that can investigate, audit, and hold these corrupt politicians accountable. We can’t trust the same people who took this tainted money to police themselves. It’s time for an independent watchdog to put an end to this disgraceful pay-to-play scheme once and for all.

“This isn’t just about one scandal—it’s about a broken system where the powerful protect their own, and the people of Rhode Island suffer the consequences. We need real reforms, not empty promises. The time for action is now. Our state can’t afford any more of this corruption, and neither can the people who call Rhode Island home.”