'Practical Democrat' Polisena Jr. holds first-ever fundraiser

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Joseph Polisena Jr. has a unique story as far as politics is concerned.

He never held a fundraiser as a candidate for the District 3 seat on the Johnston Town Council in 2018, a position he won without opposition. Now in his first two-year term in his first elected office, he is serving as the council’s vice president.

But last Wednesday night, Polisena Jr. – who is the son of Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena and Lucy Polisena – held a fundraiser that featured upwards of 200 people inside Silvio’s Restaurant on Greenville Avenue.

The event drew a “who’s who” of Rhode Island politics, with Lt. Gov. Dan McKee and Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello headlining a host of state and local elected officials in attendance.

Moreover, two of the state’s most storied and successful automotive dealers – Mike Grieco and Bob Tasca – showed up to offer their congratulations on Polisena Jr.'s first-ever victory for public office and wish him well during the next two years.

Locally, his Town Council colleagues – Robert Civetti, David Santilli Jr., Linda Folcarelli and President Robert V. Russo – were on hand, as were four members of the Johnston School Committee. A large delegation from the Johnston Fire Department and other local business owners like Akshay Talwar, who owns and operates the Briarcliffe Campus in Johnston, also attended.

Polisena Jr., who accepted well-wishes from each and every guest at the $50-a-ticket affair, summed up the night by saying: “I am grateful people took the time out of their schedule to come and support me. This was my first fundraiser, so I wasn’t too sure what to expect.”

He added, “To have that amount of people attend shows that the message of fiscal conservatism and government spending within its means is something the people of Johnston support and that what I will try and do while on the Town Council.”

Needless to say, his dad, Mayor Joseph Polisena, was a man of many smiles during two-hour event.

“I was very proud watching my son greet his guests,” the mayor said. “He has a passion for helping people in his district, and he was very happy to see everyone who attended and supported him.”

Richard DelFino Jr., the longtime chairman of the Johnston Democratic Town Committee, put an additional spin on what he called an “extraordinary fundraiser.”

“Joe Jr. represents what I would call the new practical Democrats wing of the party,” DelFino said. “Those of us that have been involved for a long time are seen as conservative Democrats, some progressive Democrats, some moderate Democrats; Joe Jr. will no doubt be part of the new representatives of the Democratic Party.”

DelFino, who is a member of the executive board for the Rhode Island Democratic Party, then paused before emphasizing: “He listens attentively and has good, sound judgment.”

A member of the Rhode Island Bar, Polisena Jr. is currently enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at Providence College. He is a graduate of the Roger Williams University School of Law and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Rhode Island College. He now operates his own law office.

As for his first-ever term in public office, Polisena Jr. said: “It has been great so far. This job is about helping people with problems they encounter within the community. I try and do my best to be attentive and work to alleviate the problems the residents of District 3 face.”

When asked about his future plans, Polisena Jr. said: “I don’t try and look too far in the future. I am just trying to enjoy the moment right now. I firmly believe I will only go as far as the voters will take me, so that will always be my primary focus and responsibility – to be attentive and available.”

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