Slater in Driver's Seat

Scott A. Slater's landslide victory yesterday in the Democratic primary for his late father's seat in the state's House of Representatives points to the enduring power of name recognition.

Even with a higher-than-expected turnout, which might bode well for challengers, Slater racked up nearly 50 percent of the vote. John M. Kelly, the well-financed president of Meeting Street School, finished second, as expected. But far behind. And a sleeper pick, Jenny L. Jourdain, got little traction.

Hard to imagine Republican Maurice Green or any of the three independents faring much better. Though those independents, at least, have some name recognition. John Tomasso's father was a City Councilman in the area. And Wilbur Jennings Jr. and Marelyn Alba-Acevedo have run for office before.

A race that looked like it might be competitive at the outset, with a number of credible candidates in a fractious district centered in Providence's West End, turned out to be anything but. One reason: it generated little interest among advocacy groups. And an unstirred pot was to Slater's benefit, since he enjoyed the natural advantage in the race.