Loughlin calls opponents Kennedy clones

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - State Rep. John Loughlin, the sole Republican running to replace outgoing Congressman Patrick Kennedy, said the four Democrats running for their party's nomination "seem to be clones of Congressman Kennedy."

"They all said they would support and rubber-stamp the Nancy Pelosi agenda, and we've seen how disastrous that's been for Rhode Island," he said.

Kennedy, a Democrat, is not running for reelection for his Congressional District 1 seat, leaving the field wide open.

On Tuesday night, Providence Mayor David Cicilline, businessman Anthony Gemma, former Democratic Party Chairman Bill Lynch and state Rep. David Segal participated in their first televised debate on WPRI 12 and WPRI.com.

• Complete debate coverage

Whoever wins September's primary will face Loughlin in November.

"Unlike past years, where you automatically win the seat, that isn't going to happen now," said Eyewitness News political analyst Joe Fleming. "Mr. Loughlin is gearing up for a very strong campaign. I think he has a message he's going to try and get out to the voters. So I think this race is going to go all the way down to November."

The debate offered few attacks and little disagreement among the Democratic candidates. Loughlin on Wednesday told Eyewitness News he hopes to capitalize on that.

"It's clear we need change, and it's also abundantly clear after that debate, that none of these guys represent the kind of change Rhode Island needs."