Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News
WPRO Newsroom
With the election drawing near, Republican challenger Dawson Hodgson went on the offensive Friday against incumbent Democrat Peter Kilmartin in the latest Attorney General debate.
Hodgson criticized Kilmartin’s performance in office on several topics including recent violent crime.
“The gang violence is a real threat to quality of life in the state of Rhode Island, and it’s not being controlled now,” said Hodgson.
Kilmartin stood firm on his defense that he and his office have been vigilant in their efforts to prosecute offenders.
“When a young girl was killed, we had every bad actor either plead, or through a trial, and in jail within a year,” said Kilmartin.
The two also sparred on the issue of 38 Studios. Hodgson said Kilmartin is in conflict with the investigation.
“He is simply too close to be the person who makes decisions about the direction, scope, and conduct of that investigation.”
Kilmartin said his office is investigating the 38 Studios deal.
“You don’t put it on a timetable, you don’t rush it or decelerate it based on politics, you let the investigators do their job,” responded Kilmartin.
Kilmartin said he believes he has had an effective four years in office.
