Competition abounds, but contention was noticeably absent from a public forum featuring the five Democratic candidates vying to represent District 28 in the Rhode Island Senate.

From a shared critique of Gov. Dan McKee’s handling of the Washington Bridge crisis, to the best district eats — The Big Cheese & Pub in Cranston won top marks with three of the five — the contenders seemed to agree on topics both political and personal during the one-hour forum at Cranston’s William Hall Library. The event was hosted by the Cranston Public Library and The Cranston Herald.

The five-way Democratic primary will decide who fills the open seat representing parts of Providence and Cranston, because there are no Republican or unaffiliated candidates.

Candidates openly acknowledged their shared viewpoints, seeking to differentiate themselves based on their resumes rather than their policy positions.

“You won’t find many policy differences between us,” said Darrèll Brown, vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation of Rhode Island. “The real question is, who is best positioned to put those priorities into action?”

Brown leaned heavily on his environmental experience, pushing for more accountability against industrial polluters along Allens Avenue and the Port of Providence. But other candidates also stressed environmental priorities, from improving infrastructure to protect against flooding, to passing the much-debated “bottle bill,” which would set up a deposit-refund program for recyclable glass and plastic cans and bottles.

Housing also featured prominently, especially for candidate Bernice Morris, who has worked for 11 years as a senior director for Crossroads Rhode Island.

“I am a community advocate,” Morris said. “I just sort of show up for the things I care about. That’s why I am running because I want to do that from the General Assembly.”

Cranston City Council Vice President Lammis Vargas, meanwhile, referenced her city voting record during her two-year term as evidence of her commitment to a diverse and inclusive perspective. Vargas also works as chief administrative officer for the city of Somerville, Massachusetts.

Case in point: Vargas’ answer to the last book she read was the city council budget.

“I am not a one-issue candidate,” she said. “My voting record speaks for itself.”

While Vargas is the only candidate to have held elected office, she’s not the only contender familiar to Smith Hill. Melissa Carden, executive director for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, flexed her advocacy muscle in helping push for a safe storage law, which passed during the 2024 legislative session.

“I am a doer, whether it is cleaning up plastic in Stillhouse Cove, raising money for the Roger Williams Park Conservancy or fighting for gun safety,” Carden said.

Four shared harsh critiques of Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr, answering “no” when asked if they had faith in his ability to manage the I-195 westbound bridge demolition and rebuild.

The one exception: John Croke, a self-described “optimist” who hoped Alviti could “turn things around.”

Croke, a systems analyst at Providence College, made frequent references to his community roots as a third-generation resident, capping off the remarks by reminding forum moderator, former Rhode Island Associate Justice Edward Clifton, that he went to school with Clifton’s nieces and nephews.

Yet Croke, along with his four opponents, all gave McKee poor marks for his transparency and promised accountability over contractors responsible for the structural oversights with the Washington Bridge.

Sen. Josh Miller, who is vacating the seat after 18 years in office, was among the standing-room-only crowd. Miller has not made an endorsement in the race, nor does he plan to, he told Rhode Island Current.

“There are too many good people,” he said.

Only two of the five — Brown and Croke — have received campaign donations from Miller, according to state campaign finance reports, which reflect contributions through Aug. 12. However, Miller said he planned to contribute to everyone in the race.

The primary is Sept. 10. Early voting continues through Sept. 9.

Editor’s Note: Nancy Lavin is senior reporter covering state politics, energy and environmental issues for the Rhode Island Current. Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. Read more stories from the current online at rhodeislandcurrent.com.