Lots of new legislators elected
Compilation
of group news statements
Rhode
Island voters prove that sexual reproductive health and rights are winning
issues
“The
voters of Rhode Island clearly support champions of reproductive freedom. It’s
also clear that, as we elect more women, we are seeing women’s needs and
experiences reflected more consistently at the State House.”
By Planned Parenthood Votes Rhode Island PAC
In
Tuesday’s general election, voters once again demonstrated overwhelming support
for sexual and reproductive health and rights in Rhode Island. The results are
in: 49 of the 52 candidates endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode
Island Political Action Committee (PPV!RI PAC) won their
races, representing 18 districts in the Senate and 31 in the House of
Representatives. In both chambers, these wins reflect the largest number of
PPV!RI PAC-endorsed General Assembly members in history. (Please note these
outcomes are based on unofficial results as reported by the Rhode Island Board of Elections.)
“This
election, Rhode Islanders overwhelmingly elected champions who support sexual
and reproductive health and rights — further affirming that these are
important, critical issues for voters,” said Amanda Skinner,
President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island (PPV!RI) and a
member of PPV!RI PAC. “Since 2016, Rhode Islanders have voted for candidates
who will safeguard fundamental reproductive rights and ensure access to health
care in record numbers. The outcome of the 2020 General Assembly election sends
an undeniable message — the people of Rhode Island demand strong champions who
will protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care and lead
the fight to advance reproductive freedom.”
The
2016 and 2018 elections saw a surge of support for reproductive rights in Rhode
Island and, as a result, 42 PPV!RI PAC-endorsed elected officials currently
serve in the Rhode Island General Assembly. 2020
wins shatter this record with 49 endorsed candidates on their way to the State
House next legislative session.
“A
just society honors women’s rights and women’s experiences,” said PPV!RI
PAC-endorsed candidate Meghan Kallman, who won
her general election after succeeding in a three-way primary for the open
Senate District 15 seat in Pawtucket and North Providence. “Being a strong
proponent of sexual and reproductive health and rights was a cornerstone of my
campaign, and being endorsed by PPV!RI PAC was key to my victory. The voters of
Rhode Island clearly support champions of reproductive freedom. It’s also clear
that, as we elect more women, we are seeing women’s needs and experiences
reflected more consistently at the State House. These are all positive trends,
as we move towards building a stronger and more inclusive state.”
Leonela
Felix,
a PPV!RI PAC-endorsed challenger who unseated incumbent Representative Ray Johnston, who voted against the Reproductive Privacy Act of 2019, in Pawtucket’s House
District 61 during the primary, added, “Women should have the right to make
choices about their lives. Period. I was honored to have the support of the
PPV!RI PAC because I know they share my commitment to removing barriers to
health care and reproductive freedom for all women and particularly for women
of color and women from low-income communities. We can see across our state
that voters want to support candidates who will champion the rights of women,
including reproductive rights.”
In 2019, our champions were crucial in passing the Reproductive Privacy Act of 2019 (RPA), codifying the right to safe, legal abortion in Rhode Island state law: 17 PAC-endorsed champions elected since 2016 helped secure the four-vote margin of victory in the Senate and the 16-vote margin of victory in the House. Next session, newly elected leaders and returning incumbents will be instrumental in enacting policies and legislation that will continue the progress we’ve made to advance reproductive freedom for all Rhode Islanders.
“Working
with these newly elected and returning champions, we will move Rhode Island
forward to tackle injustice in our health care system,” added Craig O’Connor, Director of Public Policy and Government
Relations for PPV!RI and a member of PPV!RI PAC. “Together, we can address
health care disparities by passing legislation to ensure Medicaid coverage of
doula services and abortion, protecting the essential benefits of the
Affordable Care Act in Rhode Island state law, and increasing access to health
care by expanding telehealth services.”
Although
the final results of national elections are still unclear, voters across
America and here in Rhode Island are demanding increased access to sexual and
reproductive health care. Ballots are still being counted – every voice and
every vote matters. “While there is much to celebrate here in Rhode Island, it
will take time to make sure every vote is counted across the country,” said
Skinner. “We know that the demand for change was clear and powerful. Planned
Parenthood advocacy organizations, including Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode
Island, will continue fighting to ensure every voice is heard and every vote is
counted.”
Senate
Gayle
Goldin* (District 3)
Samuel Bell* (District 5)
Tiara Mack (District 6)
Sandra Cano* (District 8)
James Seveney* (District 11)
Dawn Euer* (District 13)
Valarie Lawson* (District 14)
Meghan Kallman (District 15)
Jonathon Acosta (District 16)
Ryan Pearson* (District 19)
Melissa Murray* (District 24)
Hanna M. Gallo* (District 27)
Joshua Miller* (District 28)
Kendra Anderson (District 31)
Cynthia Armour Coyne* (District 32)
Bridget Valverde* (District 35)
Alana Dimario (District 36)
V. Susan Sosnowski* (District 37)
House
of Representatives
Edith
H. Ajello* (District 1)
Christopher Blazejewski* (District 2)
Rebecca Kislak* (District 4)
Marcia Ranglin-Vassell* (District 5)
David Morales (District 7)
John Lombardi* (District 8)
Anastasia Williams* (District 9)
Brandon Potter (District 16)
Arthur Handy* (District 18)
Joseph McNamara* (District 19)
David Bennett* (District 20)
Evan Shanley* (District 24)
Justine Caldwell* (District 30)
Julie Casimiro* (District 31)
Carol Hagan McEntee* (District 33)
Teresa Ann Tanzi* (District 34)
Kathleen Fogarty* (District 35)
Jean Philippe Barros* (District 59)
Karen Alzate* (District 60)
Leonela Felix (District 61)
Katherine Kazarian* (District 63)
Brianna Henries (District 64)
Liana Cassar* (District 66)
Jason Knight* (District 67)
June Speakman* (District 68)
Susan Donovan* (District 69)
John Edwards* (District 70)
Michelle McGaw (District 71)
Terri Cortvriend* (District 72)
Deborah Ruggiero* (District 74)
Lauren Carson* (District 75)
*indicates
incumbent
See
the full list of PPV!RI PAC-endorsed winners for the 2020 General Assembly
elections.
To
learn more about Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island and the Planned
Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island PAC, visit ppvotes.org.
Rhode Island Working Families Party
reports winners
As
of this morning, RI WFP candidates Brandon Potter (HD 16), Michelle McGaw (HD
71), Kendra Anderson (SD 31), Alana DiMario for RI
State Senate - District 36 (SD 36), and incumbent Sen. Bridget
Valverde (SD 35) are on track to win their races.
“This
election cycle, Rhode Island took one step closer to taxing the wealthiest
Rhode Islanders so medicaid and schools don’t face even more devastating cuts,
to protecting renters, immigrants and communities of color, to pass Medicare
for All and a Green New Deal, and to end homelessness and racist policing,”
said RI WFP State Director Georgia Hollister Isman.
Reclaim
Rhode Island celebrates victories, but the work continues
With
so many new, progressive faces in the General Assembly, the time is right to
pass a Justice Budget that puts people first. Over the coming weeks, Reclaim
members will be working hard alongside our coalition partners to push lawmakers
to adopt a Justice Budget that makes significant changes to housing, economic, and
criminal justice policy.
By
Reclaim RI
Reclaim Rhode Island congratulates our endorsed candidates on their victories last night in Rhode Island’s general election. Both Leonela Felix and Brandon Potter defeated Republican opponents to secure their seats in the General Assembly. Their victories send a strong message to the State House that Rhode Islanders are tired of policies that favor the wealthy and the well-connected. In a presidential election year marked by great uncertainty, this much is clear: Rhode Islanders want to see social spending preserved and our state move towards social, racial, and economic justice.
Along
with volunteers from the RI Working Families Party and SEIU 1199, Reclaim RI members knocked doors in Brandon
Potter’s district to take this message directly to voters. Representatives-elect
Felix and Potter join Reclaim-endorsed Representative-elect David Morales, Senator-elect Meghan Kallman, and
Senator Sam Bell in pledging to support a Justice Budget and oppose any budget proposal that
slashes essential social spending in this economic and public health crisis. We
congratulate our friends in WFP, Sunrise Providence, Providence DSA, and the RI Political Coop for
big progressive wins statewide.
Though
the elections are over, the work continues. With so many new, progressive faces
in the General Assembly, the time is right to pass a Justice Budget that puts
people first. Over the coming weeks, Reclaim members will be working hard
alongside our coalition partners to push lawmakers to adopt a Justice Budget
that makes significant changes to housing, economic, and criminal justice
policy. With so many Rhode Islanders laid off, locked up, housing
insecure, and suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, working
people in our state can’t wait. Join us at reclaimri.org to
find a district organizing committee near you and get involved today.
Reclaim Rhode Island also congratulates the Woonsocket Democrats, Alex Kithes, Charmaine Webster, Marlene Guay, and Vaughan Miller, on an inspiring and hard-fought campaign for Woonsocket City Council. The Woonsocket Democrats advanced a vision of a better city government that puts regular people first, invests in public education, repudiates racism, and takes action on the climate crisis. They faced a tough battle, challenging entrenched local interests and an at-large city council system that excludes working-class people of color. We look forward to continuing to support the Woonsocket Democrats and their fight for a better city.
Reclaim RI started when a group of volunteers decided that the organizational capacity of Bernie 2020 needed to continue after the campaign ended. Our view is simple: Rhode Island has never belonged to the people. But if we work together, it could.
RI
Political Co-op elects unprecedented 10 progressive candidates in Rhode Island
“They
said we couldn’t win against the establishment. We did it. They said we
couldn’t defeat Trump Republicans. We did it. The fact is we won races against
all types of opponents all around the state. The people of Rhode Island are
ready for a progressive government.”
By Rhode Island Political Cooperative
[Tuesday] night, the Rhode Island Political Cooperative elected an unprecedented 10 candidates across the state – five candidates to the Rhode Island Senate, three to the House, and two to City Council seats. In a single election cycle the Co-op built a movement that ousted some of Rhode Island’s most entrenched incumbents and defeated far-right Republicans.
The
10 future Senators, Representatives, and City Councilors will fight
relentlessly for the Co-op’s shared platform – a Green New Deal,
single-payer healthcare, a $15 minimum wage, and many other policies that will
benefit the people of Rhode Island.
“This
is just the start of our movement,” said RI Political Co-op Co-Chair Jennifer Rourke. “They said we couldn’t win against the
establishment. We did it. They said we couldn’t defeat Trump Republicans. We
did it. The fact is we won races against all types of opponents all around the
state. The people of Rhode Island are ready for a progressive government.”
“In
just a single cycle we built the Co-op, recruited an extraordinary group of
candidates, and elected 10 bold, fearless leaders. Next cycle it will be many
more,” said RI Political Co-op Co-Chair Jeanine Calkin, who won
her election last night. “This movement will continue to grow and we will not
rest until we have a government that will fight for all of us.”
The
Co-op ran a coordinated statewide campaign, recruiting and training candidates
and campaign managers, constructing a shared policy platform, building a
statewide volunteer base, and assisting campaigns directly on a daily
basis.
Below
is a complete list of Co-op candidates elected to office last night:
- Adamaris Villar – Central Falls City Council, Ward 2
- Brandon Potter – House District 16
- Brianna Henries – House District 64
- Cynthia Mendes – Senate District 18
- Jeanine Calkin – Senate District 30
- Jessica Vega – Central Falls City Council, Ward 5
- Jonathon Acosta – Senate District 16
- Kendra Anderson – Senate District 31
- Michelle McGaw – House District 71
- Tiara Mack – Senate District 6
Rhode Island Political Cooperative is building a statewide grassroots movement to elect a government in 2020 that will work for the people of our state – not for corporations or the connected.
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