When Council President Steve McAllister ran for the Ward 7 Council position in 2016, he won by a handful of votes.

On Tuesday night McAllister held a fundraiser and kickoff event at the Lemongrass.

“I’m excited,” said McAllister as he was making final preparations for the fundraiser. “We're doing big things on the council. I think we have more work to do.”

McAllister has been asked by reporters if he would consider different positions including a bid for Congress to replace Congressman Jim Langevin or if he was considering a bid for Senate District 31 which is going to be an open seat this year after state Sen. Kendra Anderson announced that she wouldn’t be seeking re-election.

Instead, McAllister said the Council is where he wants to be.

“This is the perfect fit for me,” said McAllister. “I have an outstanding job with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”

Through his job with the Chamber of Commerce McAllister would travel often before the pandemic meaning he would be in the car often. He said that he used the time to respond to constituents.

“It's a perfect fit for my family and myself,” said McAllister.

McAllister said that he enjoys being able to tackle things right away at the local level. He recalls during his first month and a half on the Council the Administration wanted to close the

Buttonwoods Community Center. He joked that he didn’t know where the bathrooms in City Hall were yet but was able to help his constituents.

“I was able to save that building,” said McAllister.

McAllister said that the Council has a lot of major decisions to make over the next few months including the budget and how to allocate the federal infrastructure funds.

“I really want to roll up my sleeves and keep working on it,” said McAllister.

McAllister said that he views the most important work ahead from the Council level is the American Rescue funds and federal infrastructure funds.

“We have to spend this one-time money the best possible way,” said McAllister.

Additionally, McAllister said that the upcoming budget is going to be critical especially as the cost for things like food and gas continue to rise.

“I want to keep that tax level as stable as possible,” said McAllister.

McAllister pointed out that the City passed a zero-tax increase budget for two years in a row. While he said that he isn’t privy to whether or not that may be the case again this year as Mayor Frank Picozzi and his departments craft the budget he said he is hopeful.

“We want to make sure that we are congestive of the families and individuals that live in Warwick. We want them to be able to stay here and grow here,” said McAllister.

On the topic of schools, McAllister, a 1998 graduate of Toll Gate High School knows the shape that the buildings are in. Asked if he would support the ballot measure that would ask the City to bond $350 million, he said that he needs to see what the final numbers are. McAllister said he is going to give a lot of thought to it.

“I’m always talking to Ward 7 residents trying to get their thoughts on that. But it has to be doable,” said McAllister.

During the fundraiser McAllister raised around $10,000 noting that over 100 people attended mostly from Ward 7 or Warwick. Elected officials in attendance included Lieutenant Gov. Sabina Matos, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey, state Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr., and Mayor Frank Picozzi. McAllister said that all the members of the City Council either attended or sent well wishes.

After expenses McAllister said he will have over $25,000 in his campaign account.