She took her shot but lost when Biden lost
By Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current
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| Cano with her partner state Treasurer James Diossa and their kids |
Cano’s last day with the SBA was Jan. 20 — the same day President Donald Trump took office, she confirmed in an interview on Monday. She had started the federal position on Nov. 4, a day before the presidential election.
Her last day was exactly two months after the SBA confirmed the rumors that Cano had been tapped to lead its small business programming for New England. While she suspected Trump’s victory would put her out of a job, she didn’t get her official notice until two weeks before he was sworn into office, she said.
“I am definitely honored to have served,” Cano said in an interview. “It was important for me to play a vital part in advancing programs that promote small business and entrepreneurship.”
She gave up her jobs as commerce director for the city of Pawtucket and resigned as a state senator representing Pawtucket’s Senate District 8 to take the federal position.
“When the president of the United States calls you to serve the country, for me, that is a great honor and opportunity to serve,” Cano said.
Cano started the extensive federal screening process in February 2024 — nine months before she was appointed, she said. She resigned from state office in September, simultaneously suspending her reelection campaign just two days after winning her Sept. 10 primary race, in which she was unopposed. Her resignation prompted a frenzy to pick a replacement nominee for the general election, marred by criticism over the lack of public input in the selection process.
The Rhode Island Democratic State Committee’s replacement nominee, Lori Urso, won the Nov. 5 general election against independent Cathyann Palocsik by a 30-percentage-point margin.
Cano, a Colombian immigrant who came to the United States as a teenager under political asylum, was the first Latina to serve as New England regional administrator for the SBA. Despite the whirlwind of executive orders from the Trump administration seeking to end protections for immigrants and taking aim at diversity initiatives across the federal government, Cano said she was confident in the SBA’s leaders and programming, including for minority-owned businesses.
Robert Nelson, who served as the Massachusetts state director for the SBA since 2007, is now the acting New England regional administrator for the agency, according to its website. An SBA spokesperson did not immediately return inquiries for comment Monday regarding the timing of a permanent appointment for the role.
Cano’s next career move remains uncertain. She didn’t rule out a future run for public office, but for now, she said she is looking forward to spending time with her two young children.
Cano began her political career in 2012 on the Pawtucket School Committee, advancing to a seat on the Pawtucket City Council in 2014. She first won state office in a special election in 2018, and was the first Latina chair of the Senate Committee on Education.
She also ran, and placed third, in the special Democratic primary for the open 1st Congressional District seat in 2023. Her partner is Rhode Island General Treasurer James Diossa.
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