RIGOP Endorsed Governor Candidate Aaron Guckian Challenges Opponent to Produce Proof to Backup Lofty Resume Claims
Guckian says Elaine Pelino should provide “verifiable proof” of service as “Chief of Staff” to Cantor Fitzgerald’s founder & “Executive Assistant” to current Commerce Secretary Lutnick
August 3, 2026 – Aaron Guckian, the Rhode Island Republican Party’s officially endorsed candidate for Governor, released the following statement today in reaction to a Providence Journal story in which his opponent, Elaine Pelino, claimed to have held high-ranking executive positions at one of the world’s most acclaimed finance companies, Cantor Fitzgerald, without being able to provide any verifiable proof. According to the story, Cantor Fitzgerald representatives did not respond to the Providence Journal’s inquiries seeking confirmation of Pelino’s claims.
Source: Providence Journal, “RI elections: Republican candidates Aaron Guckian, Elaine Pelino on the issues”
https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/08/03/ri-elections-republican-candidates-aaron-guckian-elaine-pelino-on-the-issues/90906162007/
According to the report, Guckian’s opponent, Elaine Pelino, claimed to have held high-ranking executive positions at Cantor Fitzgerald but was unable to provide verifiable proof of those claims. The article also states that representatives of Cantor Fitzgerald did not respond to the Providence Journal’s requests for confirmation.
“I find it strange that Ms. Pelino would have held such prominent roles at a global finance giant like Cantor Fitzgerald – claiming to working closely and directly with two of the most prominent financial executives in the world – and yet never mention that experience in this campaign or on her LinkedIn profile until this interview,” said Guckian. “That seems like the kind of qualification that any candidate would be leading with, not hiding.”
Pelino claimed that she served as ‘Chief of Staff’ to the late founder of global finance giant, Cantor Fitzgerald, and then as ‘Executive Assistant’ to the company’s legendary former President and current United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick. While not publicly disclosing either job prior to this interview, Pelino has touted her time running a modeling agency, authoring a cookbook, working as a ‘stand-up comedian/host’, serving as a ‘publisher/editor-in-chief’ of a now defunct magazine, working as an ‘independent film producer, writer and actor’, and a brief stint as a cheerleader for the former Houston Oilers.
“While it’s certainly possible Ms. Pelino did serve in these roles – and if she did, good for her – it is somewhat concerning that Cantor Fitzgerald refused to respond to inquiries from the Journal to back up Ms. Pelino’s claims. Therefore, in the spirit of full transparency, I am calling on Ms. Pelino to produce an official employment record, a company directory, a legitimate business card, employee ID card, offer letter, termination letter, archived email, or any other official correspondence she signed with the title of ‘Chief of Staff’ or ‘Executive Assistant to Mr. Lutnick’ to verify these claims. Rhode Island voters deserve complete transparency about the background of every candidate seeking the highest elected office in our state.”
