Speakman Won't Seek Re-Election
Barrington Town Council President June Speakman said that "ten years is long enough"; she may run for Barrington's RI Senate seat.
Barrington Town Council President June Speakman will not run for re-election this year.
Her 10 years on the council “is long enough," Speakman said.
There are a lot of other highly qualified people in Barrington who can fill her seat, she said.
“I do hope that other people will run,” said Speakman, a political science professor at Roger Williams University.
Speakman may not be retiring from politics, however. The Democrat said Wednesday that she might finally run for the General Assembly, something she has been thinking about for a few years.
“I’m thinking about it,” she said. “But I have not declared yet. I have to talk it over with my family first. But I do have an interest.”
If Speakman decides to run, she said, it will not be against Rep. Joy Hearn. The Rhode Island Senate seat held by longtime Barrington Sen. David Bates is the one she would run for, she said.
“I was under the impression he was retiring this year,” Speakman said of the Republican.
That does not appear to be the situation now, she said. And Bates would be a formidable foe given his popularity and track record.
Speakman said she would not be running against Bates, though.
“I see it as running for a seat in the Senate,” she said, “not against Dave.”
Speakman said she anticipates making a decision on her political future in about a week. Candidates do not have to file their declaration papers and begin collecting signatures until June for the November election.
Townie
8:14 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
One down, many to go. New blood is needed for the entire council and delegation. I'll take Bates in a heartbeat over Speakman though.
Manifold Witness
8:14 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
There’s the “Junespeak” right out of the chute.
June says she wouldn’t be running against Mr. Bates.
Oh yes she would.
We agree that ten years of June is more than long enough.
June was a Cicilline team member when Cicilline went to Washington.
Cicilline says he will stay in the race.
Is June still on the Cicilline team?
When did June know that Cicilline was lying about Providence’s fiscal condition?
Or did Cicilline fool June?
marina peterson
10:45 am on Thursday, April 12, 2012
I totally agree... 10 years is long enough. Does she feel the same way about directors for the BCWA?
Barrington Resi
11:31 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
I give anyone credit for giving up lots of their personal time to be a locally elected person. If you don't agree with their view points then vote her out, but blogging something mean as she is resigning is uncalled for. Did any of you try to run against her so you can try to do the job better? It's a thankless job. Good luck June in what ever your future brings.
Gary Morse
11:43 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Barr Res
I've always loved Ben Franklin's view of democracy and liberty: "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
There are some who believe that liberty is better served by doing the exhausting and demanding work to ensure that our politicians are telling the whole truth. I trust you would agree that both those serving in a public capacity, and those who watch over the process, are working hard to serve the public interest.
Manifold Witness
8:30 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
As June runs for higher office, she certainly has to expect that folks are going to speak truthfully about her performance over the past 10 years and her record while Town Council President.
Certainly, those who don’t run for office (most of the voters) are free to discuss June honestly.
It’s the American way.
Sorry if that upsets anyone, but if people are not allowed to discuss a candidate honestly you might as well just sweep June right into any office she wants.
Don’t fall for that “Poor June” act – she gets a lot of mileage out of that, especially if she thinks you're not too bright.
All the while, her valuation goes down and yours goes up. With no standards. Even though the standards are legally required.
Based on June’s record of what she’s done to Barrington, it’s more like she’s about to do a Cicciline on the Barrington taxpayers.
If June can’t take the honesty she may want to stay out of the kitchen.