The Value of an Endorsement

State Representative Elizabeth Dennigan's announcement, last night, that she is resigning her seat to focus on her primary challenge to Congressman Jim Langevin came with an interesting bit of icing - an endorsement from Gordon Fox, majority leader in the state's House of Representatives.

The endorsement is not terribly surprising. The pair have been friends and political allies for years. Dennigan has repeatedly backed Fox for majority leader. And endorsements, broadly speaking, don't mean a whole lot to voters. But it is a nod from the state's progressive establishment. And the endorsement could have some interesting long-term implications. Fox is the heir apparent for the Speakership. And the Speaker of the House is the de facto leader of the state's Democratic Party.

Dennigan still has to be considered a long shot for the Congressional seat. But resigning her seat makes sense. She could not credibly represent her district, which stretches from Pawtucket to East Providence, while transitioning to her summer home in Narragansett in the heart of Langevin's second Congressional district.