State Senate Race Heats Up: Keating Demands Party Declaration from Independent Challenger Thomas Riolo-September 30, 1988

Norwood Selectman Thomas Riolo, a registered Independent running a high-stakes campaign for the state Senate, finds himself at the center of a political showdown. Facing off against incumbent state Sen. William Keating, D-Sharon, Riolo is confronting intense pressure over whether he will declare a party allegiance if elected—or remain the lone non-partisan voice on Beacon Hill.

The Integrity Debate and Campaign Boycott

Incumbent Senator Keating has seized on Riolo’s shifting party status as a core integrity issue, charging that the challenger is misleading voters. Riolo, who was a registered Democrat for 28 years before switching his registration to Independent in February to appeal to the district’s majority independent electorate, has left his post-election intentions intentionally open.

“Why can’t he state his party affiliation now?” Keating challenged. “He is deceiving voters, or at the best, allowing confusion to exist. We’re asking him to let the voters know and let me know what his political allegiance is.”

Citing these concerns, Keating refused an invitation to appear alongside Riolo on “For The Record,” a weekly Norwood cable television show broadcast on Adams Russell Cable, and skipped a scheduled joint taping at the Mansfield cable studio.

Riolo countered that Keating is using the debate issue as an excuse to avoid public forums. “He’s got everything to lose by debating,” Riolo said. “I have everything to gain.” Dismissing the controversy, Riolo maintained that party labels are secondary to policy positions. “I don’t think voters are that stupid that I’m going to vote as a Democrat, Republican or Independent. It’s the issues.” Describing his political outlook as a “Truman Democrat and a Kennedy Democrat,” Riolo’s platform notably favors the death penalty while opposing gay rights and abortion.

A Campaign Powered by Teamwork

Behind the scenes, Riolo’s campaign is heavily driven by his wife and campaign manager of 17 years, Janice Riolo, whom associates liken to a driving force behind his political bids. Describing their working relationship, Riolo remarked, “Janice is 90 percent of my campaign. She is my biggest fan and biggest asset. And I’m her No. 1 fan.”

Mrs. Riolo’s active involvement was on full display during her husband’s cable television interview, where she whispered guidance, fed him a forgotten name, and waved a paper reading “No. 1” from behind the camera to keep him on track regarding ballot questions.

Despite breaking his ankle on Monday morning, the 51-year-old selectman has refused to slow down his campaign schedule, making appearances in Easton and appearing on WJCC radio in Norfolk. The injury did, however, force him to miss a Tuesday night Board of Selectmen meeting where a controversial auto body glass shop vote resulted in a 2-2 tie. Defending his attendance record—which he claims stands at 98 percent—Riolo explained, “I never dodge a vote. I couldn’t stand on my foot. I was all ready to go down there but Chairman [William] Butters said no, I should stay home, off the foot.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger