Providence mayor calls Rhode Island Gov a 'coward' during public clash

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Public clash between Gov. Dan McKee and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza occurred on Wednesday
The two Democrats have been at loggerheads over a new Providence Teachers Union contract, which has not been released to the public
McKee hopes the contract will be ratified at a vote on Friday night, but Elorza wants the contract to be seen by the community first
It purportedly includes pay raises for the 1,900 union members, as well as a one-off payment of $3,00
Elorza has accused McKee of a lack of transparency and say the contract 'protects adults at the expense of children'
'There's no need to make such an important decision in secret. There's no need to go forward without facing the community first,' Elorza has told McKee

Published: 09:50 EDT, 30 July 2021 | Updated: 11:49 EDT, 30 July 2021

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Camera crews have captured the extraordinary moment the Governor of Rhode Island was branded a 'coward' by the mayor of Providence during a public spat at a news conference.

Gov. Dan McKee was preparing to address a throng of reporters in the city on Wednesday, before he was heckled by Mayor Jorge Elorza, who was so fired up that he had to be held back by a security guard.

'Governor, this is too important for you to play the coward role on this,' Elorza yelled as he was held back from getting into McKee's face. 'You gotta face the community on this.'

The men - who are both Democrats - have been clashing over a Providence Teachers Union contract.

It's also been reported that Elorza is considering a bid to challenge McKee for the Governorship when he comes up for reelection next year.

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War of words: Gov Dan McKee (left) and Mayor Jorge Elorza (right) were seen talking on Wednesday before a security guard (center) was forced to intervene

Passions running high: Mayor Elorza is seen after he was held back from confronting McKee

McKee and Elorza have been at odds over the Providence Teachers Union contract for several months.

The Union is set to vote Friday night on whether or not to ratify the contract -the contents of which have not been made fully available to the public.

McKee announced earlier this month that the state had reached a deal with the Union, and he is pushing for the contract to be ratified.

According to WJAR, the contract includes pay raises and a one-time $3,000 payment for the 1,900 union members.

Elorza has previously pleaded with McKee and the Union for more transparency.

'All we're asking for today is to be able to evaluate whether it's transformational before it is signed,' Elorza stated earlier this month.

McKee and Elorza are pictured after the clash on Wednesday. Elorza says he has no

'There's no need to make such an important decision in secret. There's no need to go forward without facing the community first.'

He also told WLNE that he believes the contract 'protects adults at the expense of children'.

'This contract is going to govern our children's education for the next 50 and 60 years in the City of Providence... We only get one chance to do this right,' he stated.

Elorza says he has no regrets about calling McKee a 'coward' in front of news cameras on Wednesday.

'Our ask is very simple and very basic," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, McKee says he is 'taking the high road'.

'The Mayor making an issue out of this, it could be really disruptive and so I think it's important to take the high road on this one and I'll be as polite as I can be,' he stated.

'In the end, the goal is to help the students of Providence and the state is in control of those schools.'

Meanwhile a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Education said 'specific details [of the contract] will be shared upon ratification per an agreement between parties involved'.