STATE SENATORS DISTRICT 26

Frank Lombardi

First elected to the Senate in 2012, Lombardi has advanced legislation to protect children and workers, support families and small businesses, and promote government reform and transparency. An attorney and owner of Frank S. Lombardi Law Associates at 370 Atwood Ave. in Cranston, he has practiced law for nearly three decades.

He has sponsored legislation, since signed into law, barring third-party delivery services from listing a business without that business's consent; prohibiting employers from making deductions from an employee's wages without written authorization from the worker; requiring court-appointed special advocate volunteers for abused children pass background checks; ensuring an adult trained in recognizing concussion symptoms is present during all youth sports events; adding dyslexia screening as a required portion of elementary literacy programs; and barring the sale of puppies that are not fully weaned.

1. We have no choice but to appeal the decision. RI’s investment is too substantial to stay complacent. We need to be clear that these tolls relate only to out of state trucks that use our roads.

2. I support gun owners. It is one of our recognized fundamental rights guaranteed in the bill of rights. I believe we went too far in the last session with the restraint on magazine capacity to 10 rounds.

3. I have always presented legislation to help fellow cranstonians. I believe tax relief in the area of sales tax and property taxes will be my focus. I will also fight for laws to help our school children and seniors

4. Yes. I think legislators should serve a maximum of six terms.

5. No. We need to make it easier to do business in RI with one stop shopping to open a business. We need to eliminate unnecessary red tape and regulations that hinder intelligent business development in RI.

6. I applaud the recent budget to provide realistic funding sources to create affordable housing to RI residents.

7. I do not see the goals of the climate act being realistically achieved by that time.

Joseph Powers (Republican)

Joe Powers, raised on the east side of Cranston, was born December 10, 1970, into a family of seven children and two amazing parents, Jim and Mary Powers. They were very hardworking and dedicated parents who taught him the difference between right and wrong, to work hard and to never give up. For that, he will be forever grateful. 

After graduating from Bishop Hendricken High School in 1989, he went on to enlist and serve in the United States Coast Guard for four years. He was involved in Law Enforcement, Drug Interdiction and Border Security. Early in his service with the Coast Guard, he was tasked to serve on Law Enforcement Boarding Teams, as well as a Small Boat Coxswain.

He was responsible for transporting boarding teams to conduct boarding operations, potential drug smuggling operations, border security and many search and rescue missions.

After being Honorably Discharged from the military, he attended Rhode Island College where he studied Communications/Journalism intending on a career in Broadcasting. He quickly found himself in the corporate world where he excelled and was promoted into leadership roles in each of the three companies that he represented over the past 20 years.

Joe is a small business owner in the world of real estate as a Licensed Realtor, General Contractor, and Investor. He has always had an interest in our state’s political climate. Now our fellow friends and neighbors have asked him to step up and use his leadership skills to help give Rhode Island the course correction it so badly needs.

1. Since the inception of the truck tolls, Republicans in the General Assembly have argued against them not only on the constitutional grounds but also, they weren’t needed to fund our road and bridge repair to begin with. Alternate funding sources were identified and rejected by Senate Leadership. Since the unconstitutionality has been proven to be the case by the courts, I would not recommend that Gov. McKee pursue an appeal as he has stated he will be doing. We should repeal the unconstitutional law and find ways to fund Roadworks using general revenue. My first thought would be to stop the corporate welfare programs and instead fund public works.

2. First, let me say that Rhode Island currently has some of the strongest gun laws in the country. Law enforcement officers that I have spoken to are concerned and tell me that the laws that are already on the books aren’t being enforced. At this point, new laws will do zero good without an Attorney General who is willing to enforce them. That being said, I believe in the Rule of Law and the Constitution, further restriction of law-abiding citizens is unconstitutional, and the new restrictions have no basis in safety.

3. Cranston has always been my home, and I love everything that it has to offer. While canvassing, the voters have not expressed any specific need for new legislation that would “benefit” Cranston directly. What the constituents have asked me to do is to stop politicians in the General Assembly from getting involved in local Cranston business and to remove laws and mandates that hinder our local leaders from managing our cities budgets. Moving forward, if any issues that do directly impact Cranston can benefit from my office at the state level, then I will happily lend assistance where I’m able.

4. In short, yes! Serving in elective office should not be a retirement plan for anyone. Any term limit legislation needs to be balanced. In other words, too short a term and the give the power to the lobbyists and the bureaucrats, too long and they are ineffective. Legislation that increases the length of the term and capped the number of terms is a discussion that would be part of.

5. Due to our elected officials choosing to listen to the needs of monied special interest groups instead of the voters in RI, my answer is no – we are not going in the right direction. RI has so much potential, it used to play a major role in the world of industry with large factories and manufacturers. That’s all gone and today we sit 45th out of 50 for a business-friendly state! How can “create new jobs” when businesses don’t want to be here? Seems simple enough, create a business friendly state, more businesses come to RI to do business, these companies/businesses hire more people to run the business, wages/income goes up, economy recovers, more money goes to the cities and towns such as Cranston and Rhode island will once again become a destination State business and tourism. That’s the course correction RI needs and I will fight for.

6. We are already one of the most densely populated states in the region and Rhode Island is running out of room. Although we are moving in the right direction with approved zoning for in-law apartments for our elderly and even tiny homes and higher density areas are also options. Cranston’s next Senator will have to help decide where the best locations for affordable housing are, and who will decide those locations. In this case, our next Senator needs to look to Cranston for guidance to help answer that question not Senate Leadership. As the next Senator for District 26, I know that I’ll listen to my Cranston neighbors first and leadership last.

7. No. There are two conflicting goals in the Act on Climate. First, increased electrification of our daily lives in the form of electric cars and electric home heating. Secondly, decreased reliability in the production of that electricity by closing relatively clean burning reliable natural gas power plants. Then trying to replace them with wind and solar before scalable affordable battery storage is even available. Without efficient battery storage and a “smart grid” in place, the concern is the reliability of the electricity. Imagine a cold snap in New England and the infrastructure is not prepared to handle the demand for power to heat the homes. If that system shuts down, how will Rhode Islanders keep warm? A “smart grid” is another whole concern that I have for Rhode Islanders who will be forced to do without against their will.

DISTRICT 28

Joshua Miller (Democrat)

Senator Joshua Miller has represented District 28 in the Rhode Island Senate since 2007. In the General Assembly, he has been an active leader on small business issues, health care, and the environment, among other policy areas. He serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and previously served as chairman of the Committee on Corporations, now known as the Committee on Commerce. A small business owner, he is a graduate of Hope High School and the University of Rhode Island. He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Edgewood. Their son, Nicholas, attends Yale University.

1. Appeal. Most of the wear, tear and damage to our roads is from large trucks.
2. I favor further action, including assault weapons and safe storage legislation.
3. Required maintenance of cemeteries; a more equitable school funding formula; and litter and recycling improvements, including certain Styrofoam products and “nips.”
4. No. We have elections for them every two years.
5. We can always do more.
6. A lot, including zoning changes and more funding for both homeless initiatives and assistance for first time buyers.
7. Yes.

DISTRICT 31

Matthew LaMountain (Democrat)

My wife Casey and I purchased our cape home on Mayfair Road in 2012 and pictured ourselves raising a young family in Warwick. Now today as we raise two young children, the economic pains of parenthood are inescapable. Gas prices are through the roof, grocery bills are high, heating our homes has nearly doubled and not to mention the cost of diapers.

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. 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. That’s why I decided to run for the State Senate earlier this year.

1. We need to look at other revenue streams to continue to fix our roads and bridges, including working with our federal delegation to increase our level of federal funding. We need to make sure that under no situation does this burden fall upon the passenger vehicles using our highways. We can not and will not tax passenger vehicles.

2. Supporting public safety and advancing gun safety measures is critical to keeping our families, communities and state safe. As a Special Assistant Attorney General, I prosecuted gun crimes and saw firsthand the horrors of gun violence on our streets and in our communities. We need to promote responsible gun ownership while ensuring our children and communities are safe.

3. My legislative agenda is to build a Warwick/Cranston that works for working families. Specifically, Warwick/Cranston needs to receive its fair share in education funding from the state. We also need to support and protect our 39 miles of coastline while making sure they are open and accessible to the public. Lastly, we need to invest in our public places, including our parks and playgrounds, so families have safe and modern places to enjoy.

4. The public has the opportunity to weigh in every two years to determine who should represent them in the General Assembly. I believe this is the most effective form of term limits because we should not limit the will of the people.

5. Rhode Island has been more successful than most of its peers in bouncing back from Covid-19, so I believe we are heading in the right direction. That said, we must ensure everyone is included in this recovery. We need to increase state investments in early learning, affordable childcare, and Universal Pre-K. We need to continue to support our teachers and students, by 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. Lastly, we also need to reduce taxes on retirees and the elderly so they may age gracefully in their communities.

6. Rhode Island doesn’t just have an affordable housing problem; it has a housing affordability problem. Nearly everyone has been priced out of this housing market, from millennials to middle class families to seniors. We need to increase our housing stock to ensure supply levels out with demand. Rhode Island was last in the nation in new housing units produced, but we can change this by cutting red-tape and burdensome local regulations. We must also invest in new affordable housing units to ensure those across the socio-economic spectrum have access to housing.

7. Yes. We need to act aggressively to combat climate change to preserve our coastal communities for our next generation. Specifically, we must protect Narragansett Bay – our greatest natural resource – because it will power our shift to the green and blue economy. We have already led on the issue of offshore wind; we can now innovate and lead the way with other renewable energy sources. Leading on this transition will save our environment and revive our economy.

Lisa Morse (Republican)

I am a regular Rhode Islander and a mom who has had enough. Rhode Island has become impossible to live in. I am tired of watching people and businesses leave. I want to restore hope and independence to all Rhode Islanders. I want to make Rhode Island safe and affordable.

For the past 20 years, I have been homeschooling my five children and volunteering. Currently, I watch two of my seven grandchildren and volunteer at a women's residential treatment program. I am Second Vice-chairman of the Warwick Republican City Committee and a Delegate to the State Central Committee. It would be an honor to serve the people as their senator.

1. I support ending the program and removing the gantries, thereby removing the existing danger of tolling all cars. With a budget of over $13 billion and $878 million budget surplus, finding the funds to continue bridge and road repairs will not be difficult. We are currently #1 in dollars per mile spent on roads. We need to get in line with other states and get more road maintenance for our money. Also, we should never do anything that inhibits our local businesses' ability to thrive, including those that deliver food.

2. The most recent gun control legislation passed by our General Assembly will not prevent gun violence. The one restricting magazine capacity makes law-abiding citizens into felons and will likely be overturned by the court as a violation of Constitutional 2nd Amendment rights. Rhode Islanders are deeply offended that their own representatives regard them as criminals. Most gun violence stems from mental health issues which the General Assembly has failed to address.

3. I will support legislation to ban the use of unmanned surveillance cameras (Flock) to protect every citizen's Constitutional rights under the 4th Amendment. Technology is no replacement for good police work. Law-abiding citizens deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, not as criminals.

4. We already have term limits in place for offices such as Governor and Attorney General that are working out well for our state. I support term limits for the State Legislature.

5. Rhode Island has been heading in the wrong direction for many years. The state government has given no consideration to the suffering of our citizens under its policies. It is time for change. We are overburdened by high taxes, the high cost of food, energy and everything that we need. Drug addiction and death are rampant. The school problems are not being solved. The natural beauty of our state is being diminished by blight and poor planning. We are consistently near the bottom of all 50 states in business climate. Instead of dealing with the issues that affect Rhode Islander's everyday lives, the Legislature is doling out money for dubious public private partnerships such as the Pawtucket Soccer Stadium and the Superman building and focusing on divisive national and global issues.

6. Affordable housing needs to mean housing that people can afford. We need to improve our economy and our business climate to attract higher wage jobs. We need to improve the schools to produce excellent job candidates. We should ensure that our homebuilding regulations are not a barrier to producing affordable houses and apartments. We need to understand our population and the proper use of the space we have and plan for future needs.

7. No, it is very unrealistic and will inflict severe economic harm to most Rhode Islanders. This state does not have the infrastructure to achieve this. The vast majority of our citizens do not have the money or desire to replace their heating systems and retrofit their homes and businesses to all electric. Nor do they have the money or desire to purchase electric cars. Many fear that these energy sources are still expensive and unreliable. Mandating that all new homes must have electric heat will only exacerbate our affordable housing problem. 2033 is only 11 years away. We are not ready.

State Representatives District 14

Charlene Lima (Democrat)

John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Those words motivated me to run for office and stand up and fight for ordinary Rhode Islanders in public service. As Deputy Speaker my record shows I have done that. I have lived in RI all my life and in Cranston for over 30 years. I am a retired teacher and am married. I am running to continue to be the outspoken voice of our District and fight for the public’s interests over special interests.

1. Many other states toll our Rhode Island trucks when they travel in their states. RI truckers pay these tolls adding to their expense. That toll money adds to those state’s revenues for road repair and upkeep saving the taxpayers money. Finding a constitutional way to toll out-of-state truckers who use our roads, as our truckers are taxed in other states is important. We need to toll all trucks, in-state and out-of-state and then institute an income tax deduction equal to some portion of what RI trucking companies paid in tolls that is deducted from their tax liability. So that our truckers would not have to bear the cost of the tolls. This would be constitutional since this tax deduction would be available to any trucking company or individual trucker who pays taxes in Rhode Island. I also will be submitting legislation prohibiting the tolling of any private passenger automobile without a referendum asking the people of Rhode Island to vote on that issue.

2. We have some of the most stringent gun safety laws in the country. We need to continue to pass constitutional gun safety laws that do not abridge the law-abiding citizens rights and freedoms. We must stop passing “feel good” legislation that does not really make our citizens safer but is more a political agenda from the radical left.

3. The state must send more revenue to Cranston for education and school infrastructure than is presently allocated. Cranston is the location of many state facilities, like the ACI, Harrison House and more that place a burden on our city resources without fair state compensation. I also plan to resubmit legislation for mandatory jail sentences for “smash and grab” crimes that hurt our businesses and ATV road terrorists that rob our citizens of their right safety. We also must pass legislation that stops putting the criminal’s right over the rights of the law-abiding Cranston residents.

4. I do not since we already have term limits -- it is called an “Election” and we have them every two or four years.

5. No, we have a terrible business climate, our schools are in dire need of repair and the rights of the parents to know what radical agendas are being taught in our schools is being eliminated. Criminals have more rights than their victims and our courts are ignoring victim rights and public safety by liberal sentencing and bail policies.

6. Each city and town must share the responsibility for providing affordable housing. We cannot allow a few cities and towns to bear that burden. We also must stop giving large tax breaks to rich developers who finance their projects with taxpayer money and then are allowed to provide only a few affordable housing units. Let us spend the millions in tax breaks we give to the politically connected and start getting serious about solving the affordable housing problem.

7. Climate change is real, but we need to understand that this must be addressed in the long term with equal emphasis on the effects that so-called climate change legislation has on real people’s lives. Simply put, we presently lack the technical capabilities to bring about real change in the environment by rushing to 100 percent renewable energy by 2033 without dramatically raising the cost of gas, heating oil and other energy sources beyond what hard working citizens and businesses can afford.

District 18

Arthur Handy (Democrat)

Arthur Handy was first elected to represent District 18 in Cranston in November 2002. He was named a Deputy Majority Leader in January 2021; Handy is the first vice chair of the House Innovation, Internet and Technology Committee and is a member of the House Oversight Committee, chairing that committee's Energy Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the House Health and Human Services Committee. Handy was also the primary sponsor of the House same-sex marriage bill that became law in 2013, after he’d introduced it every year of his legislative career.

Handy was the architect of the ResilientRI act, which created the Climate Change Council, a panel charged with creating a plan for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A former chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, he has championed greater environmental protections throughout his legislative career, and has also been a strong advocate for low-income Rhode Islanders, minorities and the disabled.

1. I think we should definitely appeal this decision. The tolls are a very reasonable way to make sure we are maintaining our roads and bridges.

2. I support the new laws that passed this last session that require no more than 10 rounds in a magazine and require people to be 21 to buy rifles and ammunition. I think we should look for additional solutions to prevent gun violence in

3. I have and will continue to offer legislation that I identify based on my experiences and those of my constituents. But I don't have any bills in mind this year that would only affect Cranston specifically.

4. I truly wish we had more people running for office – without that, I think term limits are best handled by the voters in our districts every two years.

5. This question is always hard to answer because there are so many ways to answer and since I prefer the "glass half full" perspective I will focus on the many positive movements our state has made the last few years. Our economy needs to make a pivot toward the green economy. To that end, we now have stronger policies supporting renewable energy in our state including a very achievable goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2033, the Act on Climate law that creates a framework for our state government to plan and implement the changes that will be needed, and a new law to promote offshore wind that is critical to moving our economy in a more sustainable direction for our economy and environment.

6. There is always more that can be done and with housing costs having risen so much, more must be done. One area that I work in is improving energy efficiency, which goes directly at the costs of housing. Beyond this, we can address market challenges such as making sure that Section 8 vouchers are more widely accepted by landlords.

7. Yes, see my answer above.

District 19

Joseph McNamara (Democrat)

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 District 19. 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. I will ensure our community members continue to have access to the natural resources that enhance our neighborhoods.

1. I support the governor's decision to appeal the ruling. The progress we've made towards improving the infrastructure of our state is too important to our economy to ignore.

2. I was a strong supporter and proponent of the common sense gun legislation that was enacted this past session. I do believe our state needs stronger safe storage laws for weapons and I support prohibiting the sale and possession of assault rifles.

3. I will be introducing legislation this session that will increase the availability of mental health services in both Warwick and Cranston public schools. It will provide Medicaid reimbursement for school psychologists which will enable our schools to deliver much-needed mental health services. I will also be introducing several pieces of legislation relating to our environment, including legislation that guarantees access to our ocean shores and inland waterways.

4. I do not favor term limits for state legislators. I have worked with several states that have term limited senators and representatives. On complex legislative issues that have a steep learning curve, such as public policy relating to genetic privacy, it can take several years to develop and understand. I've noticed that states that have term limits end up sending legislative staff due to the complexity of the issues. Also, institutional knowledge is very important in the legislative process, so states that have term limits end up empowering lobbyists to be the purveyors of institutional knowledge.

5. Yes, Rhode Island is heading in the right direction. This past session, we finally eliminated the car tax, increased the tax exemption for Social Security to the first $20,000, provided a $250 tax credit to families with children and passed common sense gun control legislation. In the past we have also passed the Act on Climate and protected reproductive rights. During these difficult financial times, I believe we will continue to advocate for the hardworking families in Rhode Island.

6. This past session, we allocated $221 million for affordable housing in the 2023 State Budget plus approved a package of 10 bills designed to help address our housing crisis. This is just a slice of our efforts to improve housing, we will continue to focus on affordable housing in every community.

7. Yes, I believe it is achievable. The reason I believe this is because we can purchase renewable energy credits through our energy providers. This will enable us to reach that goal.

District 41

Robert Quattrocchi (Republican)

Bob Quattrocchi, 58, is a lifelong Rhode Islander and Scituate resident. He is married to his wife, Edwina, and two daughters. He is a 1981 graduate of Scituate High School and former owner of two RI small businesses. His community volunteerism and support includes the Scituate Lions, Sons and Daughters of Italy (Vince Lombardi Lodge 2020 Community Service Award recipient), Cranston Scouts, Cranston Historical Society events, North Scituate playground construction, Chopmist Hill Senior Center garden, Scituate Art Festival, sponsoring and coaching girls’ soccer and much more. He seeks reelection to continue to uphold his sacred oath to our constitutions and remain a much needed conservative voice in our legislature.

1. As a candidate for the office I now hold, part of my platform was in opposition to tolling of RI’s highways. We were forewarned of the high likelihood that RI would lose a constitutional challenge in federal court. In my first term, after the previous House had voted to pass tolling in RI, I introduced a House bill that would have limited taxpayer exposure and construction of toll gantries to one. This one gantry would have been sufficient to trigger the trucking industry's lawsuit against the state of RI, rather than the rush to load up our whole state with gantries. We are now left with only three painful solutions after the federal court decision preventing the tolling of solely out of state trucks. First, include the tolling of RI trucks, which would hurt our already struggling businesses and consumers. Second, toll all vehicles, including passenger cars, which would be a perpetual tax on all drivers. Third, removal of all toll gantries. In my estimation, removing the gantries would be the least painful solution.

2. I believe that any infringement on lawful gun owners' second amendment rights is unconstitutional. All recently passed gun laws target lawful gun owners, not criminals. I'm all in favor for the harshest penalties for criminals who commit violent gun crimes.

3. During most legislative sessions, I receive requests from city leaders to support various initiatives. Currently, I'm not working on any Cranston specific legislation. Last session, I introduced a bill at the behest of a Cranston constituent pertaining to the aerosol spraying of toxic substances in our skies. This is not necessarily Cranston specific, but I plan to introduce it again.

4. Yes! In fact, I have introduced several bills in the past, proposing term limits for state legislators.

5. I am a lifelong Rhode Islander. RI has not been going in the right direction for decades. Reasons for this are numerous, but I believe that the underlying cause to be the single party domination which has existed in RI for nearly 80 years.

6. Government intrusion into areas which were never intended for government involvement, such as housing, has created housing unaffordability. For example, more regulations on landlords discourage people from being landlords, which lowers the availability of housing. They are also forced to raise rents to cover excessive regulations. Both of these examples lead to driving up rental costs. Smaller, less intrusive government, equals more affordability.

7. No, once again, in a rush to seemingly do good, government is not looking at the potential harms of its actions.

District 42

Edward Cardillo (Democrat)

Two years ago, I had the honor of being elected to represent the people of District 42. I felt running for office was my way of giving back to the community. I have lived in the district all my life, raising a family here and sending my children to public schools. The issues that matter to my family are the same ones that matter to yours, including safe streets, a reasonable cost of living, taxes and good public schools.

I am a moderate Democrat who rejects extremism and will stand up to special interest groups. I support local small businesses and oppose subsidies for giant corporations. I am an independent voice who has opposed his own party to support law enforcement and lower taxes.

I am asking for your vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, so I can continue to fight for the things that affect both your family and mine.

1. Tolls should be done away with and what we get from the gas tax can be used to supplement this. Also, I would never put a toll on cars.

2. Yes, Rhode Island has some of the most strict gun laws in the country.

3. Since Johnston is the host community of the landfill, I would appoint another Johnston resident to the board of R.I.R.C.C. to give Johnston residents a strong voice.

4. No, I don’t believe it matters to the average voter.

5. No, there is work to be done. Rhode Island ranked 40th out of the 50 states on the 2022 Business Tax Climate Index. This is a pro-business organization based in D.C. Also, schools are run down and education scores continue to drop. We need to ensure our children are getting the best education possible.

6. There needs to be a plan so every city and town can share the responsibility to help the homeless.

7. Research has shown it is possible to get energy from renewable resources. However, I feel this should be an even longer term goal. There are various factors that could affect the timeline of this, including finances and infrastructure.