1. What are your top 3 legislative priorities, and why do you feel that these are the most important on which to focus?
There is so much good we can do for Rhode Islanders, including some common-sense laws that have overwhelming support but have been held up by the same old politics in the State House.
Finally passing the Reproductive Health Care Act would guarantee that the protections of Roe v Wade would remain in place for Rhode Islanders no matter what happens in Washington. President Trump has repeatedly attacked access to health care and reproductive rights. Now that he’s on the verge of appointing yet another anti-choice Supreme Court justice, the RHCA is needed more urgently than ever.
Along with investing in our schools to replace crumbling infrastructure, we need to pass common-sense gun safety legislation like the Safe Schools Act to keep guns out of our schools.
I’m also committed to making sure that Rhode Islanders can afford to live and thrive in our beautiful state – whether they are students and young adults just starting out, families looking to build a strong future, or seniors who deserve to retire in comfort and security. Getting there will mean passing fair pay legislation, increasing the minimum wage, and taking a hard look at taxes and spending priorities.
2. How do you distinguish yourself from your opponent?
I’ve spent months having one-on-one conversations with voters, and just about everyone has their own top priorities: protecting the environment, investing in education, expanding access to health care, repairing roads, and so much more. But more often than not, folks agree on the biggest problem facing our state: a broken political system that benefits a few powerful people and ignores the needs of everyday Rhode Islanders. It’s time to move past the good ol’ boys club, “gotta know a guy” way of doing business.
My Democratic primary opponent, Gregory Acciardo, represents the worst of that old style of politics. He was a state senator from Johnston back in the 80s, before racking up a long record of accusations, arrests, and convictions for everything from domestic violence to drunk driving to vehicular homicide. He dropped out of the limelight for a while, then popped up at the candidate filing deadline ready to pick up right where he left off. That’s not what the people of our district deserve.
I am running for this seat because Rhode Island needs change. I am the only candidate in this race who has spent countless hours up at the State House, working with advocacy organizations like Moms Demand Action and Planned Parenthood to push much-needed legislation forward. As a constituent, I have had my concerns ignored. As a legislator, I will always be available to respond to my constituents’ needs and take their concerns seriously.
We can’t keep going through the same cycle over and over again and just hope for better results. It’s time for new leadership and fresh voices who will fight for the issues we care about.
3. Our Governor has been very vocal in criticizing President Trump and his agenda. Do you agree with her, or do you feel we should be supporting him?
President Trump has been impulsive and reckless in just about everything he’s done, and the damage to American families and our global standing has been enormous. Our most important international allies are questioning our loyalty, commitment, and leadership. Parents seeking asylum have been separated from children, infants have been torn from their mothers, all without a plan for reuniting these families. President Trump has massively increased federal deficits, and his tariffs and trade wars threaten to drastically increase the cost of living while putting countless jobs at risk.
I did not vote for President Trump, but I hoped that his worst impulses would be restrained, and that he would pursue his presidential duties with the seriousness they deserve. Sadly, for all of us, he has not shown a willingness to think long-term and put the interests of regular Americans first.
4. Do you feel it’s important/appropriate for our State Rep. to be involved in town politics/issues? Why or why not? If you do feel it is important/appropriate, in what ways would you be involved?
Town councilors and School Committee members are often the folks who are most in touch with our community’s needs and priorities. I believe that it’s important for state senators to maintain close relationships with local leaders to make sure that voters have effective representation at the State House.
A state senator who listens to local voices and fights for their community at the State House can get a lot done – defending our priorities, making sure we get our share of state investments, and protecting taxpayers. We haven’t had that kind of leadership in far too long, and it’s time for a change.
5. Do you have any plans on how to recruit more businesses to Rhode Island and, more specifically, our district? Do you have a vision on other ways to grow Rhode Island’s economy?
I’ve talked to a lot of Rhode Islanders who are increasingly worried about being able to find the kind of jobs that will help them keep up with the rising cost of living. And I’ve heard from so many parents who love Rhode Island, but worry that their kids will be forced to move away after high school or college in order to start a career.
Part of the solution is to attract new business to Rhode Island. First, that means tearing down a system where politicians funnel money and contracts to favored businesses, cronies, and donors. We need a level playing field so businesses know they’ll get a fair shake.
There is also so much we can do to nurture local businesses and help them grow and thrive. We can do that by investing in our schools and developing a workforce with the skills they need to succeed. And we can make it easier to start or expand a business, whether it’s a shop or restaurant, a start-up that employs just a handful of dedicated people, or a bold expansion of green energy investment.
6. Do you support universal healthcare and/or Medicaid for all Rhode Islanders? Why or why not?
I believe that every person deserves access to health care. Right now, just about 5% of Rhode Islanders don’t have any health insurance at all. So expanding coverage to include everyone is well within reach.
But coverage doesn’t mean much if you can’t afford to use it – or if you can’t find a provider who will see you. Universal healthcare has to be about more than making sure everybody has an insurance card. We need to make sure that primary care physicians can build successful practices in Rhode Island. We need to empower registered nurses and physician’s assistants to do more as front-line caregivers. And we need to make sure that health care is not just accessible, but affordable.
7. Do you support codifying Roe vs. Wade to protect a woman’s right to choose in R.I. in the event the decision is overturned federally? Why or why not?
I’ve been advocating for the Reproductive Health Care Act for a long time now, including testifying at hearings up at the State House, sitting down with legislators and getting others involved in the fight. This is a bill that would guarantee Rhode Islanders the protections of Roe v Wade, no matter what happens in Washington. Given the Trump administration’s all-out assault on reproductive health and rights, we need it now more than ever.
With President Trump on the verge of appointing yet another Supreme Court judge, the constitutional right to safe and legal abortion is on the line. At the same time, our leaders in the Rhode Island State House have refused to even hold a vote on the Reproductive Health Care Act. They’ve called it a distraction, and claimed that there is no real threat to choice.
We can’t afford to wait any longer. We need new leaders at the State House who will defend access to safe and legal abortion. Leaders who will stand up for equality and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ communities. Leaders we can trust to fight for reproductive health and rights.
8. Taxes in R.I. are pretty high. Do you feel lowering taxes is important? How would you make up the missed revenue and/or maintain services?
A tax system needs to make sure that everyone pays their fair share so that we can invest in the things that matter most. At a time when working families are struggling with the cost of housing and education, and seniors are forced to choose between heating their homes and paying for health care, we absolutely need to take a good hard look at tax rates.
But starving our state of tax revenue can create more problems than it solves. We’ve seen tax cuts deliver short-term benefits to a few, while embedding a ticking timebomb of debt in our state budget. We’ve seen our roads riddled with potholes and bridges on the verge of collapse, with no money to pay for repairs. And we’ve seen schools falling apart – including a ceiling crashing down right here in East Greenwich – because of shortsighted leadership.
If we’re ever going to balance those competing needs, lawmakers need to start thinking about the long-term impact of their decisions. We need to stop shoveling taxpayer dollars toward campaign donors, political insiders, and risky “investments” like 38 Studios. It’s time for lawmakers to be honest about what we can afford, and invest in the services that will improve the quality of life for everyday Rhode Islanders.
Engaged East Greenwich 