Johnston Democratic Town Committee posts candidate endorsements

Team Johnston Dems is ready for the Nov. 8 General Election.

That surfaced last Wednesday night inside the famed Maria SS DeFisa Della DiFesa Society when the Johnston Democratic Town Committee (JDTC) held its traditional endorsement meting under the direction of long-serving Chairman Richard DelFino.

The JDTC endorsed candidates for Mayor, Town Council and School Committee following a macaroni and meatball dinner and discussion about the upcoming General Election.

“The Committee unanimously voted to endorse Joseph Polisena Jr. for Mayor, Linda Folcarelli (Ward 1), Lauren Garzone (Ward 2), Al Carnevale (Ward  3), Robert Russo (Ward 4) and Robert Civetti (Ward 5) for Town Council,” DelFino told the Sun Rise in an exclusive interview after the meeting.

DelFino, who also serve as as Chairman of the RI Democratic Party Committee of City and Town Chairpersons, also announced: “For School Committee we unanimously endorsed Dawn M. Aloisio (Ward 2), Marysue Andreozzi (Ward 3) and Susan M. Mansolillo (Ward 5) for School Committee.

Robert LaFazia (Ward 1), who chairs the Johnston School Committee and Vice President Joseph Rotella (Ward 4) are not up for election as they are still serving their terms. They pledged their support for all JDTC candidates during the meeting.

“The JDTC also received request(s) for support from Sen. Frank Lombardo, Sen. Frank Ciccone, and Rep. 42 candidate Dennis Cardillo Jr.,” DelFino explained.

Likewise, DelFino told the Sun Rise: “The JDTC had previously endorsed Dan McKee for Governor and Sabina Matos for Lt. Governor.”

He also announced that the JDTC will set up schedules for support of its candidates right up to the Primary and General Election in November. Their headquarters will be open evenings for those volunteers who support the team. Many events are planned including a “signature event,” walk with candidate nights and a major fundraiser in August.

When asked how the JDTC arrived at its 2022 endorsements, DelFino replied: “We placed an advertisement (in the Sun Rise) soliciting interested Democrats who wanted to run for local office. We were looking for candidates who had the best interest of the committee, who contributed to the overall good of our town and who would work together with the team and who wanted to continue Johnston on the path that Mayor (Joseph M.) Polisena has set forth.”

“Thus, once all interested candidates expressed their respective interests and names, the JDCT met on two different evenings conducting interviews with only those candidates who requested endorsements and tonight is the result of those interviews and meetings.”

DelFino also noted “that anyone who’d like to help the JDTC during the pre-primary period and general election" should call him at 401-230-7857.