NEWS

Here’s your candidates in the Sept. 13th Primary

Posted 8/31/22

Council ward 1

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NEWS

Here’s your candidates in the Sept. 13th Primary

Posted

Council ward 1


Barry Cook

On Monday June 27, 2022 I declared my candidacy for the Ward One City Council seat!

My decision to do so was based on thoughtful deliberation and in consultation with my best friend and biggest supporter my wife Cynthia .

I believe that my professional career coupled with my life’s experiences provide me with unique insight into the many important challenges our city faces now and into the future.

My 20 plus years in banking and finance as a Vice President (now retired)of a multi billion dollar financial institution with management responsibilities for a 50 member employee team and a $500 million dollar asset portfolio together with my my experience as a former East Providence City Councilman ,Assistant Mayor and Vice Chairman of the East Providence Housing Authority will allow me to “hit the ground running” on behalf of Ward One taxpayers!

My wife Cynthia and I for many years owned several successful  businesses together. Before Covid we sold 2 of them, and when Covid, hit closed the 3rd .

Over the years I have been an active member of the Jaycees,The Rotary,as well as various PTAs, and I was a member of the Governors Commission on the Handicapped!

During my banking career I took professional course work in economics,management, budget preparation, and financial analysis at numerous  universities, including:

* University of Massachusetts

*University of Chicago

*Rutgers University

*University of Delaware

I look forward to putting my experiences and training to use on behalf of all Ward One residents, and to meeting many more Ward One residents in the weeks ahead and to working with all to to bring about improved , more transparent ,responsive and effective representation to Ward One.

William Foley

Public service is part of my family and I’m very proud of how we’ve contributed in different ways. My father was a Pawtucket firefighter. My wife, Martha, worked with special education students in Warwick before working in Social Services; our daughter, Kim, is employed at Milton Academy; our son Mike, a lieutenant on the Providence Fire Department; and son Greg, a former Army Ranger. I was a teacher for 40 years, also serving as Union President. Twenty years ago, I served as the Ward 6 Councilor.

As the current Ward 1 Councilor, I have taken seriously the responsibility of serving my ward. While campaigning two years ago, I vowed to be responsive and an efficient, effective public servant. I have prioritized responding to concerns in a timely manner, holding myself accountable to providing the best possible solutions, and following up on outcomes. I have met with community groups, discussing their concerns, and assisting them in navigating through the city departments. I am always transparent with my constituents, informing them that, after doing my due diligence, I will provide an honest answer to their concerns, even if it is not the answer they hoped to receive.

As promised, I voted for no tax increase for two years. Additionally, I authored a resolution requesting the state government to earmark a percentage of its lottery revenue to alleviate property taxes in future years. As a member of the Finance Committee, I guided fiscally responsible budgets while also voting for increased spending for schools.

I consistently advocated for a reduction in the Phase 3 sewer assessment. In the end, the assessment was reduced by one-third, moving that phase forward with equitable treatment of residents by the Sewer Authority.

I addressed the concern of speeding in Pawtuxet Village, Governor Francis Farms, and other areas of the ward. I voted to streamline a paving program to facilitate improved city infrastructure for residents.

I sponsored and collaborated on various community events and supported improvements to the community gem that is Salter Grove.

When re-elected, I will:

  • monitor city finances to ensure responsible management of taxpayers’ dollars
  • work on improvements to city infrastructure to keep Warwick moving forward
  • recruit new businesses to the city to grow our economy
  • promote the building of affordable housing
  • continue to promote government efficiency and effectiveness

I see public service as a call to duty and will serve proactively on the City Council making Ward 1 and the city of Warwick the best place in Rhode Island to live, work and raise a family.



Rep. District 19

Joseph McNamara

I am running for office to continue working to improve the lives and economic opportunities for every resident of our state. I hope to continue to be an effective voice at the State House who listens to our neighbors in the 19th District. I graduated from Warwick public schools and raised my own family here. I love this community and want to continue working to make it even better, whether it’s the historic reconstruction of the Pawtuxet River Bridge in the Village or identifying resources to improve our parks and ensuring that our community members continue to have access to the natural resources that enhance our neighborhoods.

I will continue to be an effective advocate for our community, and have a track record of successful leadership:

  • I led the fight to end the car tax.
  • I cosponsored critical gun safety legislation.
  • I sponsored legislation that placed a school construction bond on the ballot and doubled the amount of preschool slots.
  • I cosponsored legislation that codified Roe v. Wade into law.
  • I cosponsored the Act on Climate.

Additionally, I have worked on the transformation that has taken place in Pawtuxet Village, with traffic calming, new sidewalks, dredging the cove, removal of the dam and, most recently, advocating for increased oversight by DEM on environmental issues impacting our community. We have a wonderful community of advocates, such as Pawtuxet Green Revival, who I enjoy working in partnership with to ensure that our historic access to the Pawtuxet watershed is preserved.

As a retired public school teacher and administrator, I care deeply about education and expanding access to opportunities. I am the Chair of the House Education Committee, the former Chair of the New England Board of Higher Education, and a founding board member of College Unbound, an organization that helps adult learners re-enter higher education. I am a member of numerous community organizations, but am especially passionate about my work with Friends of Salters Grove and the RI Marine Archeology Project’s search for the Gaspee.

I am also the former owner of Joe’s Dairy Shoppe in both Warwick and Cranston. I have earned a Master of Education Degree from Providence College and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston University, and am a proud Pilgrim High School graduate. I was honored to receive the Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights Award for my contributions to RI’s Marriage Equality Act and anti-bullying law.

My campaign has been endorsed by Clean Water Action RI, Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island, the RI Coalition Against Gun Violence, the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI), the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, United Nurses and Allied Professionals, and many additional labor unions.

Stuart Wilson

My name is Stuart Wilson, and I think it’s time for change. I’ve biked through all of District 19, Warwick and Cranston, knocking on doors. (Maybe you’ve seen me on my old Blue Schwinn) I hear it every day: Voters are ready for change after 27 years of the same representation.

I was born in Rhode Island, and I’ve been here my whole adult life. My mom was a nurse, and my dad ran a small business in Pawtucket. Today, my wife Nicky and I are raising our kids here in Warwick. My oldest is about to start in the public schools in Warwick (shout out to the Wyman Wolves!). We love it here, but we also see the potential for a better and stronger future for our community and our state.

I’ve worked as an educator throughout the state, teaching mostly in Providence and Central Falls schools. Cranston and Warwick schools face similar challenges. Suffice to say, every child in this state deserves access to a high quality education, not just the ones who live in wealthy communities.

I’ve been talking to voters all across District 19 and have heard so many people say the same thing: We are ready for a representative who stands up to lead on important issues. Women’s rights: Why haven’t we protected the reproductive rights of EVERY woman in this state?

Education: Building the schools that equip our kids for the future.

 Safer Streets: a smart, forward-thinking transportation plan that considers pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, and automobile users over the interests of the oil lobby.

Gun safety: Meaningful legislation that will keep our kids and neighbors safe.

We must take meaningful action on these issues. These aren’t just ideas supported by Democrats, but the overwhelming amount of Warwick and Cranston residents I meet every day. They don’t want half-measures that end up costing taxpayers more in the long term; they want real solutions. Solutions that require bold imagination and hard work. At the same time, people are struggling out there, and we need to find ways to make these changes without placing the burden on working families. I’m ready to stand up and push for this kind of change, with the needs of our community in the front of my mind.

I don’t take any money from special interests or corporations - just regular citizens. I won’t just bring the General Assembly leadership’s message to you, I’ll take your concerns to them. This is the power we can have if we work together as a community.

It’s time for change.


Rep. District 21

 


Camille Vella-Wilkinson

Now more than ever, in the shadow of the looming Cancel Culture, it is especially critical to outreach and educate the public on past conflicts from our shared history as a diverse community. It is not enough to merely stamp a calendar with a date from history to refresh our memories.

We must not forget the bravery and sacrifices of our military members and their families; the endurance and tribulations of our Indigenous people; the many needs of our children; the challenges of our residents who are other-abled; our middle-class, elderly and small business owners being crushed by the economy; our neighbors living in the margins and our failing healthcare system.

Consequently, my priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session include:

Veterans and military families, local Indigenous tribes, healthcare, inflation, school safety, and our environment.

Veterans and military families

  • Military Sexual Trauma investigations within the RI National Guard;
  • Funding programs for municipal Veterans’ outreach events;
  • Hiring preference points for spouses of disabled veterans;

State Recognition of Indigenous people

  • Work with Secretary of State’s office for General Public outreach on the history of

  RI’s relationship with local indigenous tribes;

  • Establish criterion for State recognition in accordance with the federal

  Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA);

  • Assist the Wampanoag Seaconke (Seekonk) tribe with State recognition;

  Gaps in healthcare

  • Birth Control Accessibility for women;
  • Coverage for Chronic Lyme Disease;
  • State Medicaid Reimbursements for Hospital Acquired Conditions/Infections  (HAC,HAI);
  • Help set higher wages for Home Healthcare Workers in RI.

Addressing Inflation

  • Further reduction of State income taxes taken from Social Security pensions;
  • Complete review of Warwick’s share of State tourism money;
  • Tax credits for landlords and renters;
  • Renters’ security deposit made in four installments;
  • State workers receiving the same protection with Continuing Contract measures.
  • Streamline State Grant applications for small business owners

School Health and Safety Measures

  • Smoke and vape detectors installed in Warwick Middle and High School bathrooms;
  • Improving overall school security;

Our Environment

  • Encourage the establishment of Habitats for Pollinators;
  • Work with RIDEM and other agencies for cleaner fresh waterways, including Buckeye Brook, Warwick Pond and Sand Pond;

Additionally, I will remain active with the Council for State Governments as well as the National Conference for State Legislators to keep abreast of innovations and constituent-centered policies that will improve the quality of life in Warwick and the Ocean State.



Capri Catanzaro

I am Capri Catanzaro and I am running for State Rep. of District 21 in my favorite city, Warwick! I am running for office out of urgency. I hoped to never have to run for office, but it has been a rough few years. After the incumbent took donations from RI Energy & PPL lobbyists and stood silent towards a 50% energy rate hike, I am stepping up.

For seven years I have been invested in moving RI forward - as a campaign manager in local races, as a field organizer with the Working Families Party, and as an activist working with legislators and testifying at the State House. I am certified in Early Childhood Education and was an educator at Oakland Beach Elementary. To combat the summer slide, I raised $1,500 and gave five new books to every student.

Before organizing, I attended NEIT where I studied and practiced Automotive Technology. I later graduated from URI Summa Cum Laude as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society, one of the most exclusive distinctions an undergrad can earn. Membership is more than an award of academic excellence - it is a credential signifying friendship and morality. It is a reflection of my character and I am excited to demonstrate my values of happiness, family, and independence in the General Assembly.

Workers and graduates need middle-class jobs with health benefits. A third of small businesses report that health coverage is a challenge and some plan to reduce health coverage just to stay open. We cannot afford to maintain our current healthcare system. RICHIP, the RI Comprehensive Health Insurance Program, saves money for local companies, workers, cities, and those on fixed incomes. RICHIP saves residents thousands per year at their choice of hospital, doctor, and pharmacy - there are no “networks.”

With the help of RICHIP, local businesses we all know and love can attract and maintain skilled workers by offering competitive compensation packages including complete vision, mental health, dental, and prescription coverage. In short, RICHIP is a fiscally responsible program that promotes workforce stability, saves money, and provides the kind of oversight that companies and residents want from their government.

I invite you to connect with me at 401.238.2416 & read my blog posts on education and more at CapriForRI.com. I hope to earn your vote 9/13 and I look forward to serving you as State Rep. in D-21.


Rep. District 22

Joseph Solomon Jr.

It is my great honor to serve as your State Representative. I am seeking reelection so I can continue bringing people together to deliver results for our community.

The last two years have been rough on our economy, our education system, and many of our neighbors and friends. During the last session I was proud to work on rebuilding our economy, protecting the vulnerable in our community, and investing in our future.

Targeted Tax Relief

  • Eliminated the car tax for all Warwick residents, keeping money in peoples’ pockets.
  • Provided a one-time child tax credit of $250 per child, for up to three children per family.
  • $4 million to increase the “circuit breaker” tax credit available to qualifying seniors and disabled residents, raising the maximum credit from about $400 to $600 beginning in tax year 2023 and indexing that amount to inflation.
  • Eliminating state income tax on military personnel and veterans’ income. Protecting Our Environment
  • Passed the landmark Act on Climate law to ensure Rhode Island is on a path to be carbon neutral by 2030, and the creation of good, new green jobs.
  • Protecting our natural resources like Rocky Point, Conimicut Point, and preserving Oakland Beach.

Keeping Warwick Affordable

  • Ensuring that our community stays affordable and residents are not priced out of their homes.
  • Supported American Rescue Plan “Down Payment” to support children, families, and social support,

   small businesses, affordable housing, broadband access, and tourism and hospitality recovery.

Ensuring Opportunity for All

  • Investing in a strong education system and creating vocational and workforce training opportunities,

   and supporting our small, local businesses to raise wages and ensuring people have access to good paying jobs.

  • Sponsored and passed legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15/hr.
  • Supported legislation to ensure pay equity for women.

Protecting and Improving Our Healthcare

  • Improving access to high quality, affordable healthcare.
  • Co-Sponsored and passed a law to cap the cost of insulin to $40 per month.
  • Sponsored legislation to add safety barriers to state’s bridges to prevent suicides.
  • Adequately fund Medicaid for seniors and those living with disabilities.

In the meantime, if you need help with any state or local issues, have any questions or concerns, or would just like me to hear what’s important to you, please contact me anytime at Joe@JoeforRI.com or 401-308-3904.


Zakary Pereira

My name is Zakary Pereira and I am running in the September 13th Democratic Primary to represent House District 22. I grew up in North Kingstown as the youngest of four, and the proud son of an immigrant grocery store worker and a public-school teacher. My Portuguese family taught me early on what it meant to work hard towards the American Dream. I put myself through school at Rhode Island College and graduated from Salve Regina University with my M.B.A. I now work in higher education as a Senior Assistant Director of Admissions. In 2019, I moved to be with my partner Aaron in Riverview, the same neighborhood where he grew up, and where we want to raise our family.

We live in a time in which hardworking people can grind long hours every day and still be uncertain about having enough money to make ends meet. Through my work in college admissions, I’ve seen how Warwick’s students are being left behind, with classrooms in disrepair, programs being cut, and teachers without the support they need. I have also met hundreds of people throughout my campaign who are being priced out of housing, face looming electricity increases, and are unsure of how they are going to heat their homes this winter or simply buy groceries. Many are also uncertain about their reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, which are under attack from the federal level.

I believe District 22 deserves a representative who understands that the way things currently work is not good enough. I do not come from a political dynasty, and I am proud to be a candidate that will work for change – in what we do, as well as the way we do it. I’m proud to be the only pro-choice candidate in the race, as well as the only candidate not taking corporate PAC or lobbyist money.

I know our city’s residents deserve a better deal. I am ready to get to work on day one addressing the kitchen table issues, including our housing crisis, utility rate increases, and the high cost of healthcare. This is what my campaign is about: making Rhode Island a more affordable place for all of us to live, raise a family, and retire. Please reach out to me at (401) 287-4177 or ZakaryForRI@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for participating in our democracy.

Rep. District 23

K. Joseph Shekarchi

I am running to serve the great people of House District 23 in Warwick who I have been so proud to represent these past 10 years. As a lifelong resident, I will always fight for the necessary resources on behalf of Warwick.

As House Speaker, I made certain we added $45 million in federal recovery funds for hospitals this year, which enabled Care New England to keep its facilities – including Kent Hospital in Warwick – independently owned. This will enable Kent to continue providing quality health care and will protect the jobs of 3,000 dedicated professional staff.

Working closely with Mayor Picozzi and state and federal leaders, we secured funds to renovate the Conimicut Lighthouse, and we obtained $490,000 to renovate the Mickey Stevens Sports Complex.

Education is the key to a brighter future, and we boosted the state share of Warwick’s education funding by increasing the per pupil investment from the state in the last two years by 13.8 percent.

In the three budgets I have crafted as Speaker, we have not raised broad-based taxes and in fact have lowered or eliminated some taxes. The current budget permanently eliminated the car tax one year ahead of schedule, which puts more money in the pockets of the owners of almost 74,000 cars in Warwick.

We also provided tax credits for working families with children, did away with the state tax on military pensions, and raised the amount of pension income that is exempt from state taxation for all retirees.

To help businesses and to prevent increases in business taxes, the budget we passed included $100 million to the Unemployment Trust Fund. To bolster the local economy, we brought good paying jobs to Warwick by attracting Bally’s new Tech Hub.

Warwick has 39 miles of coastline, making us particularly susceptible to the impact of sea rise and climate change. That’s why I am so proud we passed the Act on Climate, one of the most influential bills approved by the legislature in decades.

The lack of available housing at affordable prices is one of my highest priorities and we have taken a number of steps in the past two years to address it. We made an unprecedented investment of $250 million in the current budget to improve access to housing and we created the first-ever funding stream for affordable housing.

Should the voters of District 23 decide to re-elect me, I will continue to focus all my energy on delivering a positive agenda for the people of Warwick and all Rhode Islanders.

Jackie Anderson

My name is Jackie Anderson and I am running for State House District 23. I grew up here in Warwick, where I attended St. Kevin’s School from second to eighth grade and graduated from Warwick Vets.

I have worked as a registered nurse in Rhode Island for over a decade. During my time as a healthcare provider, I have seen up close major problems with our healthcare system that I could never fix from my patients’ bedside. One of my most memorable patients was a young, uninsured woman who was diagnosed with cancer. Rather than focusing on getting better, her biggest concern was missing time from work for treatment and getting fired. Unfortunately, the financial obstacles in her life meant she was unable to accept treatment. I witnessed just how helpless and vulnerable a lack of accessible healthcare can make us.

As a mother, I know how important every Warwick child’s education is. My youngest is entering 5th grade and my eldest is a recent graduate of Toll Gate High School. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult the last few years have been on our teachers and students and know that there’s a whole lot more we can do to support them—starting with paying our teachers a living wage and fully funding our schools.

I’m running for my patients and for anyone struggling to afford healthcare. I’m running for single parents struggling to make ends meet amidst the soaring cost of living. I want to see a Warwick where everyone has what they need to live a good life – affordable healthcare, affordable housing, high-quality education, and the opportunity to raise a family. The political establishment will never do these things on their own, without pressure from the people. That’s why our district finally needs a representative who actually shares our values, who cares about our community, and who will advocate on behalf of Warwick’s working families up at the State House.

That’s why I am running on a platform that includes Medicare for All, a $19 minimum wage, and ensuring high quality education for every family. I will pass legislation that protects bodily autonomy, like the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act. My primary opponent, Speaker Shekarchi, won’t even bring the bill up for a vote. As your representative, I will protect the human rights of every Rhode Islander, while making sure that our government invests in working families and our economy.


Senate District 29

Jennifer Rourke

My name is Jennifer Rourke, and I am running to represent Rhode Island’s 29th district in the State Senate. When I first decided to run for office, I knew that I wanted to run for reasons that were bigger than myself.

As a working-class mother of four and wife of a veteran and former police officer, I know what it is like to face the consequences of our broken government. Like many of you, I have had to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I’ve felt the burden of the increased costs of food and housing while our wages stay the same. Families like mine in Warwick are struggling, and those with the power to fix these problems have consistently ignored us.

However, I know that it does not have to be like that any longer. The people of Warwick deserve a Senator who will stand up to the political establishment and fight for changes that benefit ALL of us, not just their wealthy campaign donors. As an activist in Rhode Island’s progressive movement, I have held the conservative political establishment accountable. When I am elected to represent District 29 in the State Senate, I will not back down against special interest groups or corrupt leadership.

I will fight for bold changes that will deliver for working people and families across the state —including fully funding our schools, expanding state healthcare, passing a $19 minimum wage, ensuring free high-quality child care, building 10,000 units of green and affordable housing, supporting veterans and seniors, and an equitable tax system that supports small businesses. So, while our status quo leadership raises hundreds of thousands in corporate campaign dollars, I am here appealing to the everyday, hard-working people of our beautiful city to support our campaign. I will always be attentive, responsive, and accountable to your needs. Your fight is my fight. My dream as a little girl was to make a difference somehow in this world and that time is now. If we are going to move forward in creating a more representative and diverse government, the faces we see today need to change. The “Good Ol’ Boys Club” had its time. In order to move forward, we need to change not just the narrative but those writing the script. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions and concerns that you may have. Please vote for me on September 13th.

Michael Carreiro

A lot of candidates say it, but in my case it’s true – I’m not a politician. I’ve been a firefighter my entire adult life, and I’ve worked for years standing up for working class people.

I’m running to be your next state Senator because, for too long, extreme ideologues on both sides have drowned out the voices of regular folks. That needs to change. I don’t have any agenda other than helping Warwick families and seniors fight inflation, keeping our taxes low, and improving community safety. With your vote, we can bring the voice of working people to the State House.

I have seen it all during my 20 years on the Warwick Fire Department. I watched heartbreaking tragedy unfold before my eyes and I have also seen life’s miracles unfold. These experiences shaped my perspective and provided me with a deep appreciation for the importance of community, public safety, and compassion. That said, nothing has compared to the last two years as I watched us come together to wage a battle against COVID-19. It was a scary time for everyone, whether you were old or young, a first-responder or a business owner, a student or a teacher. But what gave us hope throughout the COVID-19 ordeal is Warwick’s deep sense of community.

This election is critical for the future of our community and state. Warwick and Rhode Island are at a crossroads. As we work to emerge from COVID-19 and build a stronger economy, it is more important than ever that we elect individuals who will fight for working families and our small businesses. I believe that is what sets me apart from my opponent, who has talked openly about raising taxes on individuals and small businesses. My opponent is the co-chair of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, which is radical collective of individuals running for public offices throughout the state. The co-op’s members’ priorities even include imposing a new statewide property tax of 10 percent on small businesses. Some co-op members were recently endorsed by the Providence Democratic Socialists of America.

Now is our opportunity to build back stronger – our economy, our public health system, and our school system. As someone who has dedicated his entire adult life to serving our community, I cannot sit idly by. We must not give an inch to self-proclaimed socialists or individuals who want to cripple our small businesses.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I hope you will keep me in mind as you consider your options for state Senate in District 29 on September 13th.


Senate District 30

 

Mark McKenney

Voters should expect two critical attributes in senators: the ability and willingness to work with others, and a connection to the neighborhoods they represent.

I love Warwick. I’ll work with others to achieve reasonable, positive change, helping folks in our neighborhoods.

I was raised in Buttonwoods and worked jobs from paperboy to dishwasher to waiter. After studying at Boston College, the University of Kent, and Catholic University, I returned to Warwick and married Tricia Cronin (now a retired East Providence teacher). Our kids went to Warwick public schools and after college, eventually came back and now work in RI.

As an attorney, I’ve helped labor, business leaders, and insurers reform our broken workers’ compensation system. I’ve represented businesses, municipalities, and injured workers. As a volunteer, I was President of Literacy Volunteers, and Providence Community Library, and Chair of the State Library Board. Those roles gave me as much satisfaction as any professional achievements. I believe in public service - giving back.

We need to rise above the bitter, divisive politics to make progress. Even if I disagree with someone, I’ll look for common ground. I’ve always worked with others to solve complex problems.

I’ll fight for my constituents on the issues that impact them. Given the cost of living right now, had I been in office, I’d have voted to suspend the state gas tax. Additionally, RI is still one of 8 states that taxes Social Security. That should stop.

I will continue to fight to protect women’s reproductive rights as I did when I voted for the RPA, which codified Roe v. Wade into state law.

Our schools were in crisis before COVID; the pandemic didn’t help. My 2019 Senate vote helped pass reforms modeled after Massachusetts. Warwick voters will decide on new schools, but if they go forward, we need all possible state funding.

Our business-friendliness ranking is pathetic. We need improved, modernized services. And we must help workers. While college is good for some, we need more training for trades.

I’ve walked every neighborhood in Warwick. I’ve listened to concerns at community meetings. I’ll fight to keep our neighborhoods safe.

We must work together as a community to solve the complex issues facing us, not just make noise. We’ve seen enough of that. That solves nothing. We need action. We need to actually deal with these issues and make progress.

I ask for your vote. I ask you to vote, in the September 13 primary. If you honor me with your vote, I promise that I’ll focus on key issues, aiming to make a tangible positive impact on the lives of Rhode Islanders.

Jeanine Calkin

My name is Jeanine Calkin, and I’m running for re-election to the Rhode Island State Senate.

Many years ago my family made the state of Rhode Island their home. And I, like them, am proud to call Rhode Island my home. My parents and grandparents came from very humble means. They didn’t have a lot, but what they did have was love, compassion, great friends and family, and a strong sense of community.

My parents instilled in me a spirit of justice, and that the right thing to do is to speak up when I see something wrong. It is something I’ve tried to do every day.

For years now, many of our elected officials seem to have forgotten that their job is to represent us. Instead they are more concerned about helping themselves and their friends, than helping the people who elected them. This needs to change. We face many issues with our educational system, our environment, and our economy - which have been put on the back burner while the focus has been put on helping corporate special interests.

I’m running for re-election to the State Senate so that I can continue to be a voice for working families, and to stand up for my neighbors - even when it is difficult to do so. I will continue to speak up - because we can’t continue down the same path - when children no longer have the same opportunity to do better than their parents.

We need to build an economy that doesn’t just benefit the rich. We need to invest in our schools, pass a green new deal, protect seniors and veterans, and stand up to the corporations and lobbyists that try to control our government.

I’m proud to be endorsed by Clean Water Action RI, Planned Parenthood RI Votes, the RI Coalition Against Gun Violence, Climate Action RI, the RI Democratic Women’s Caucus, Sierra Club RI and other organizations, and was recently listed as the #1 open and ethical senator according to RI Rank’s 2022 General Assembly Open Government Rankings.

I am once again asking for your support. Please join me and let’s make our voices heard. Together we can build a better future - for all of us.


Senate District 31
Republican Primary

 

Lisa Morse

  Thank you for your time and consideration. This is my first campaign, so campaigning is new to me. I am a regular Rhode Islander and a mom who has had enough. Rhode Island has become impossible to live in. Decades of bad policies have driven us to the bottom of the lists in all state categories - except depression. We are number one in that! Rhode Islanders are suffering, and we must help each other.

  I want to restore HOPE and INDEPENDENCE to all Rhode Islanders. The State Legislature refuses to focus on the things that matter in ordinary Rhode Islanders’ everyday lives. Drugs, crime, decaying cities, unsafe roads, unusable schools, burdensome taxes, regulations, laws, ordinances and mandates are crushing us - especially financially. We are tired of watching businesses and people leave. We are tired of watching Rhode Island crumble before our eyes. I will vote against more nonsense, burdens and bad policies. I will work to repeal and abolish all of the laws, taxes, mandates, ordinances and regulations that oppress and depress us. We need a Rhode Island that is safe, affordable and free.

  I will restore a public service attitude at the State House. I am a public service person by nature. I am a perpetual volunteer, currently serving at ATCRI Women’s home. I am 2nd vice-chairman of the Warwick Republican City Committee. I loved serving in restaurants. As a waitress, mom, grandmother and volunteer, I say to people, “What do you need?”, they tell me, and I do it. We all need that attitude of serving from our elected leaders.

  It would be an honor to serve you as your Senator.

John Silvaggio

John Silvaggio will run his campaign for District 31 Office of State Senator as a Republican. Silvaggio’s name appeared in the Providence Journal and in a corresponding story on TurnTo10 showcasing his involvement with The North American Competitive Beard and Moustache Alliance (N.A.C.B.M.A.). This charity contributed over one million dollars to various causes.

Silvaggio currently sports the number eight ranking in the world in addition to holding second within The United States of America for facial hair. He is a proud dad of one daughter who attends school in Cranston, where he was actively involved in her previous elementary school at Gladstone Elementary; there he helped raise thousands of dollars while serving as treasurer within the Parents and Teachers of Gladstone (PTG).

Before becoming a public servant, Silvaggio was the principal of ‘JP Silvaggio & Associates’ a Private Detective and State Constable Agency involved in over 200 documented court cases. He is an Instructor for the Use of Force Continuum by Armament Systems and Procedures which is considered the standard for Defensive Tactics within Law Enforcement that comes in addition to an array of NRA Civilian Instructor Certifications with emphasis on Personal Protection.


Senate District 31
Democratic Primary

Matthew LaMountain

In recent years it has become increasingly difficult for young families to buy a home, afford childcare, and raise their children in Rhode Island. We can change this by electing more young parents to the General Assembly who will fight for working families. That’s why I decided to run for the State Senate earlier this year. When my wife, Casey, and I purchased our cape home on Mayfair Road in 2012, we pictured ourselves raising a young family across from St. Peter’s Church, strolling with our children down to Salter Grove, and dining out on Friday nights in Pawtuxet Village. Casey was working as an R.N. at Rhode Island Hospital, and I was prosecuting criminal cases in the Attorney General’s Office. We both had substantial student loan debt, but we scrimped and saved and finally closed on our home. Casey and I now have two children, and we often do take them to Salter Grove to play with their grandparents. But right now, the economic pains of parenthood are inescapable. Gas prices are through the roof, grocery bills are high… not to mention the cost of diapers. The skyrocketing cost of childcare has us constantly rethinking whether it’s more affordable for one of us to stay home with the kids. We need to increase state investments in early learning, affordable childcare, and Universal Pre-K. We must also act to combat the effects of Climate Change to preserve our coastal communities for our next generation to use with their families. As the son of a public-school teacher, I know the benefits of supporting our teachers, students, and providing a quality public education. Our school buildings are in desperate need of renovation and I will fight to increase our reimbursement rate for school construction. We also need to ensure Warwick gets the necessary state funding to support students with learning disabilities, English Language Learners, and students from lower income families. As a nurse’s husband, I have watched firsthand the toll COVID-19 took on Casey and our frontline healthcare workers. It is clear how important accessible and affordable healthcare is – including access to reproductive and maternal healthcare. As a former state prosecutor, I witnessed first-hand the tragedy of gun violence, and the plague illegal firearms has our streets. Because of this, I will fight for common sense gun laws. And, in light of recent Supreme Court rulings, I will use my legal and courtroom experience to protect women and marginalized communities. I carry with me the lived experience of a working family and know first and foremost a community is judged by how it respects its seniors. I will be a strong advocate for reducing taxes on retirees and the elderly so they may age gracefully in their communities. We must work together to solve the issues facing us. I believe I have the vision and temperament to be an effective advocate for our community. With your support, we can work together building a Warwick that works for working families.

Harrison Tuttle

My name is Harrison Tuttle and I’m running to be the next State Senator of District 31. I’m running to continue the legacy of Senator Kendra Anderson and make sure that the people of District 31 have a working-class champion representing them on Smith Hill.

I am 23 years old, and I work in the education sector for Genesis Center in Providence. As the son of a disabled, single mother: my lived experiences with poverty and homelessness give me a unique insight as to how to best advocate for working people. We see it everyday: people having to choose between essentials, people choosing either medical care or bankruptcy, or if they feed their family or pay the rent. I’m running because we need an advocate for working people, not the corporate lobbyists and special interest groups that have a stranglehold on our political leaders.

I want to go to the State House to make life better for working class people in our state. I want to fight for affordable housing, to make sure college grads can build a life in our state and that elders don’t have to leave the Ocean State. I want to increase our minimum wage, so people can make a good living in Rhode Island. I want to fight for Medicare for All, to make sure everyone has equal access to medical treatment. I want to invest in our education system to make sure our kids have a strong start: putting mental health and career readiness counselors in our schools.

My lived experience guides my conscience. Experiencing elements of poverty and homelessness  shaped my worldview with a bend towards the arc of equality and justice. We must make an investment in the working class of the Ocean State. If the people of District 31 want a working class guy to work for working class people: I would be honored to be their champion and State Senator.

 

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  • GnomesAndSnails

    I proudly support Jackie Anderson and Jennifer Rourke.

    Thursday, September 1, 2022 Report this