Contributors
The Ocean State Republican is a collaborative effort* of a number of conservative Republican activists from all over Rhode Island. The views and opinions expressed herein should be considered as solely those of each individual contributor, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, they are not necessarily reflective of any other organization which may employ them or with which they may be otherwise associated or affiliated.
Contributors to The Ocean State Republican:
Will Ricci (Executive Editor) - Will is the Northeast Region Vice President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies; first elected in August 2003; reelected in 2005 and 2007. In 2001, he was elected as the first Vice President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly, serving until 2003. Will is the Treasurer of the East Providence Republican City Committee. He is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee, as well as a member of its Nominations Committee. He has been actively involved with numerous state and local campaigns, including those of Steve Laffey and Governor Carcieri. Will’s hobbies include reading, volunteering, and plotting world domination.
Raymond T. McKay (Managing Editor) - Ray is President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly, Rhode Island’s largest and most active conservative Republican organization. A RIRA member since its founding in 2001, he was elected as its third President in April 2005 and was reelected in April 2007. He is also the Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly State Political Action Committee. He is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from Warwick, as well as a member of its Executive Committee. He has been involved with numerous political campaigns, both as a volunteer, as well as a candidate.
Thomas Wigand, Esq. (Deputy Editor) - Tom is the General Counsel of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly. He is admitted to the bars of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as Federal District Court for the District of Rhode Island. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Statewide Coalition, as well as the Ocean State Policy Research Institute. Tom is an at-large Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from Middletown.
Carl Toti (Northern Rhode Island Editor) - Carl is a founding member of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly. He is active member of the Burrillville Republican Town Committee; currently serving as the committee’s Secretary. He is also a key organizer of the new Northern Rhode Island GOP Committee Coalition. Carl is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from Burrillville.
Ryan K. Bilodeau (Northern Rhode Island Deputy Editor) - Ryan is Chairman of the College Republican Federation of Rhode Island; previously serving as Chairman of the University of Rhode Island College Republicans. He is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from Woonsocket, as well as a member of its Executive Committee. Ryan, a senior majoring in both political science and philosophy at the University of Rhode Island, is currently serving as the acting Chair of the Woonsocket Republican City Committee. He was recently named as one of the Top 15 Campus Conservative Activists in the country by Young America’s Foundation.
Robert S. Carlin (East Bay Editor) - Bob is the Chairman of the East Providence Republican City Committee. He is an active member of the East Providence Taxpayers Association and other local good government groups. In 2006, Bob was the Ward 3 candidate for East Providence City Council. Bob is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from East Providence.
David B. Talan (Providence/Metro Editor) - Dave is the Chairman of the Providence Republican City Committee. He is also the Corresponding Secretary of the Rhode Island Republican State Central Commitee, as well as a member of its Executive Committee. He is the Editor of the well-known monthly e-mail newsletter, the Rhode Island Republican Update (which you can find archived on this site). Dave was a candidate for Mayor of Providence in 2006.
Hon. William Munroe (Kent County Editor) - Bill is the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly. Bill is an outspoken member of the Exeter-West Greenwich School Committee, and is also very active in the Pro-Life movement. He is a member of the Exeter Republican Town Committee. Bill is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from Exeter.
David A. Coté (South County Editor) - Dave is President of the Rhode Island Republican Party City and Town Chairmens’ Caucus. He is the Chairman of the South Kingstown Republican Town Committee; considered to be the largest and most active local Republican Committee in Rhode Island. He is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee, as well as a member of its Executive Committee. Dave previously served a term as a member of the South Kingstown School Committee.
Sean O’Donnell (South County Deputy Editor) - Sean is the Chairman for Youth Outreach for the Rhode Island Republican Assembly. He is the Second Vice-Chairman of the South Kingstown Republican Town Committee. Sean was the campaign manager for Lt. Col. Jim Haldeman (House Dist. 35) in 2006. Sean is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee. Sean, a doctor of pharmacy, is an active advocate of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Lt. Col. James Haldeman, USMC Ret. (South County Deputy Editor) - Jim is an active member of the South Kingstown Republican Town Committee and was a candidate for House Dist. 35 in 2006. Prior to his political involvement, he performed with distinction as the Civil-Military Operations Center (CMOC) Commander in Fallujah, Iraq. During a seven month period in 2005, Lt. Col. Haldeman acted as a principle representative of the U.S. led coalition in Fallujah, where his primary role was to establish the new government in Fallujah and surrounding areas. Jim is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from South Kingstown.
Roland Benjamin (South County Deputy Editor) - Roland is an active member of the South Kingstown Republican Town Committee. Roland, owner of LFI, Inc., is a contract manufacturer for the aerospace and medical device industries. He is a passionate advocate for Consumer Driven Healthcare Plans (CDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as a means of controlling healthcare costs for both employers and employees.
Phil Hirons (Technical Advisor) - Phil is the Vice President of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly. He is also Vice Chairman of the Smithfield Republican Town Committee. Phil, an active member of the Rhode Island Rifle and Revolver Association, is an active defender of Second Amendment rights. Phil is a Delegate to the Rhode Island Republican State Central Committee from Smithfield.
(*) vast right-wing conspiracy
