The Nifty Fifty House Party - Part XLIII: Rhode Island

After crossing through the state of Massachusetts, the Bullet Train to November now shifts southward -- without leaving the region -- to the smallest state in the Union, the first of the 13 original colonies to declare independence, and the last to ratify the Constitution...

RHODE ISLAND

The Ocean State is known for its independence streak, a fact marked by the roots of its forefathers. In 1524, an Italian navigator by the name of Giovanni de Verrazzano was in search of an all-water route to China and landed in present-day Block Island, and was guided with Native Americans to present-day Newport Harbor, where his crew surveyed the land. The same Block Island was later visited by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block in 1614. In 1636, a colonist banished from Massachusetts for his religious views by the name of Roger Williams settled here, along with various others over the years. In 1663, a Charter uniting Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (the state's mainland) was granted, and over a century later, on May 4, 1776, Rhode Island became the first of the 13 original colonies to declare its independence from Great Britain, and the last of the thirteen (to avoid having its exports taxed) to ratify the Constitution on May 29, 1790.

Rhode Island in the present day is shaped a diverse population, with the largest percentage of Portuguese Americans of any state, largely concentrated in Bristol County, in the eastern portion of the state. Large communities of Irish, Italian and French Canadian populations, along with Portuguese and Hispanic groups, have contributed to the state's Roman Catholic dominance, which amounts to nearly 64 percent of the state, the highest in the nation. However, none of the state's counties are among the ten most Catholic, as its parishioners are spread out across Rhode Island. Utah is the only other state with such a one-faith dominance. On the economy, health services, tourism and manufacturing (including fashion jewelry, electrical equipment and shipbuilding) are among the state's leading sectors, along with agricultural outputs in dairy (including eggs), vegetables and nursery stock.

Democrats have dominated the Ocean State since the Great Depression, largely centered in the state's urban areas. The party dominates the Rhode Island General Assembly, controls both U.S. Senate seats and holds both U.S. House seats. Republicans have won campaigns in the past with reform candidates critical of one-party rule and the state's tax rates, which are among the highest in the nation. Governor Donald Carcieri, who has called for tax reductions to improve the business climate here, is one such example. It is one of the Democrats' strongest suits in presidential elections, giving John Kerry 59 percent of the vote in 2004, one of his strongest performances. The state offers comprehensive health insurance to low-income children, abolished the death penalty in the 1840s, and is one of two states with legal indoor prostitution. This year, the political storm here is relatively quiet.

District 1 (S-Factor 16.0 DEM): The Kennedy empire is alive and well here in this district that covers northern and eastern portions of this state including Newport, Bristol, Woonsocket, Pawtucket and parts of Providence. Patrick Kennedy, son of Massachusetts U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, will be heavily favored for another term against Republican Jon Scott. Prediction: Solid DEM.

District 2 (S-Factor 12.0 DEM): Jim Langevin is the only paraplegic member of Congress as the result of an accidental shooting in 1980 that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Langevin will be favored over Republican Mark Zaccaria in this district that covers Cranston, Westerly, Warwick, and parts of Providence. Prediction: Solid DEM.

Next stop: Nebraska.