I certainly expect the race to kick up a notch as a result of Patrick's antics, including fundraising. There is at least one guy stepping in on the GOP side, though he hasn't announced yet.
So far this year, RI Republicans have been spending their energies having food fights over the Senate race. Lincoln Chafee, the INOiest RINO in the Senate, is facing opposition in the primaries, and the GOP has (inexcusably) run attack ads on his Republican challenger. So little capital to spend here, and they choose to weewee it away on internecine fights propping up dreadful candidates.
The Stupid Party, indeed.