Maynard is said to be a long way from being able to carry out the functions of his office or campaign in the election.
Pressure is growing on Senate Democrats to release more information about the future of Senator Andrew Maynard. Maynard was seriously injured in a fall two months ago, and questions remain about his ability to stand for election in November.
Maynard is a well-respected and well-liked figure both in the Senate and in his district. He represents a swath of towns in the east of the state, including Plainfield, Preston, Groton, Griswold, North Stonington, and Stonington. He suffered a serious fall from the steps outside his home in the early hours of the morning on July 21, and was initially treated at Rhode Island Hospital for a head injury and what were described as numerous other injuries. He’s since been transferred to the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, where he’s receiving therapy to aid his recovery.
People close to the senator told WNPR that Maynard’s condition has improved significantly in the last month, and he can now recognize friends and hold a conversation. He’s still said to be a long way, however, from being able to carry out the functions of his office or campaign in the election. The prospects for his full recovery are said to be very unclear.
The continuing uncertainty puts Democrats in a difficult position. Party officials don’t want to put pressure on Senator Maynard’s family, but David Collins, a columnist for The Day, said the demands of being a public figure need to be considered. "There needs to be some transparency and open dialogue from the state Democrats," he said on WNPR's Where We Live. "The Senate Democrats need to kind of step forward, and explain to people his condition; what the outlook is for his recovery; what another term might be."
Listen below to the full discussion on Maynard from WNPR's Where We Live:
Time is running out to make a decision on how to handle the November election. For instance, if Maynard were to seek public financing, that decision must be made before September 25, and the documents require his signature. He’s also slated for debates in the run-up to the vote.
Even if the party believed Maynard could not run, the way forward isn’t clear. "Our laws really only allow the Secretary of the State’s office to remove someone’s name from the ballot if the candidate themselves withdraw," said Av Harris, a spokesman for the Secretary of the State’s Office. "No one else can take that step on behalf of the candidate."
Complicating the political picture: this is a knife’s-edge district with a majority of unaffiliated voters, and far from a safe seat for Democrats. Maynard is currently facing a relatively unknown opponent in Kevin Trejo of Groton. If Maynard were to win in November, but then unable to represent his district, the Republicans might be inclined to push harder to win any future special election.
