Democrats continue to reel from the 2024 election that returned Donald Trump to the White House. Trump is pressing the limits of executive power, drawing cheers from his supporters and dismay from critics. Can Democrats develop an approach to revive the party and win more support in national elections? How will the U.S. be different after Donald Trump’s second term? And with Rhode Island gearing up for its next statewide election in 2026, how is the outlook for overcoming the state’s biggest challenges? These are some of the topics to be discussed during The Public’s Voice, a lively and wide-ranging panel discussion.
Moderator: Ian Donnis
Panelists: Justine Caldwell, Adam Myers, Jesus Solorio
Presented with The Public’s Radio
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Moderator Ian Donnis is the political reporter for The Public’s Radio, Rhode Island’s NPR member station. He has reported on Rhode Island politics for more than 25 years. Ian previously worked for The Associated Press, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and The Providence Phoenix.Panelists:
State Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-East Greenwich). Justine was first elected in 2018, and she serves as a deputy majority leader in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Her election reflects how the previously Republican town of East Greenwich has gone Democratic. She has sponsored bills, among others, meant to address gun violence, to reduce the threat of opioids, and to allow campaign funds to pay for child care during campaign and officeholder activity.
Adam Myers is a Providence College associate professor of political science and he directs PC’s Public Administration Program. His research focuses on American state politics, federalism, and political parties and elections. His work has appeared in a number of political journals, and Adam is currently working on a book for Oxford University Press about the history of American fiscal federalism from the 1930s through the present.
Jesus Solorio runs his own consulting firm, Homan Street Strategies, which is meant to give Republican candidates the tools and strategies to defeat Democrats. He previously served as executive director of the Rhode Island Republican Party. Before coming to Rhode Island, Jesus worked in Illinois for future one-term governor Bruce Rauner and he made his own unsuccessful run for Congress.
