2020 Election Profile: Jennifer Douglas, RI State Senate District 34
GoLocalProv News Team
2020 Election Profile: Jennifer Douglas, RI State Senate District 34
Read what she has to say about why she is running for office.
This is part of an ongoing series by GoLocal featuring each of the candidates for House and Senate.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
I think the biggest issue facing us this election season is the Covid crisis and how we are going rebound from it, in regards to both our preparedness for future obstacles and our economic development. One thing this pandemic has done is expose inequity and how we treat our essential workers. Increasing our minimum wage to $15 an hour will help our communities greatly by increasing spending within Rhode Island and stimulating our economy. We also have to take a deeper look at how we care for our most vulnerable populations and how we are going to be better prepared to protect and care for them going forward. Increasing Medicaid funding, uncoupling health insurance base on employment, and promoting safe staffing for nursing homes needs to be a priority.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
Starting the minimum wage at $15 an hour will help bolster the economy by increasing the amount of spending here in our state. Implementing a Green New Deal will result in bringing good paying jobs to Rhode Island by building affordable green housing which will help alleviate our housing crisis. We can invest in solar, wind, and tidal energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and as a result we will also protect our fishing and tourist industries, both of which are threatened by ocean warming and rising sea levels.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
When I speak to my neighbors and friends, there are multiple challenges facing Rhode Islanders. I’ve found people working several jobs so they don’t have to choose between putting food on the table or paying their rent. They want one good paying job so they can save for their children’s future and have more time with their families. The ever increasing cost of healthcare is an enormous financial burden and reduces spending within our state, further stalling our economy. We need to start legislating with compassion, and it’s imperative we work to find ways to support the hard working families and members of our communities.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I’m running for office because I look around my district and see that our lives have not improved in any measurable capacity in many years. In my community we’re overburdened by taxes that continue to rise to pay for our schools and I want to work to bring business into our area that will allow us to retain our rural character but also lower the tax burden on our property owners. I want to preserve our environment and put a moratorium on clear cutting our mature forests for solar farms until we can find a way to properly site alternative energy sources utilizing brownfields, parking lots, and municipal buildings. I’m here to help and I want to see this entire state thrive. I’m not afraid to take bold action to do it, instead of just going along with the status quo.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My family. They’re just simply wonderful, supportive, and incredible people. My father is a first generation Italian American, who served our country in the Air Force and worked hard his entire life to give our family every advantage possible. And I was born into activism. My mother’s grandparents hid a Japanese family in their home during WWII to save them from an internment camp while my grandfather was a medic overseas in Germany during the war. My mother fought for civil rights with the Student Non Violent Coordinating Committee and was a vocal anti war activist during Vietnam. They’ve instilled in me a deep commitment to justice and advocacy for others. I hope to use that commitment to better the lives of everyone around me.
Website. https://jen4district34.org/
Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/JenniferDouglasForSenate/
Bio:
Jen Douglas is a lifelong Rhode Islander and Charlestown resident of 15 years. She is the town committee rep of the RI Democratic Women’s Caucus, a member of the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee, and current democrat candidate for State Senate in District 34.
As a single parent to two teenagers and a full time health care worker, she understands the needs of families: good schools, a living wage, access to health care, and strong environmental programs to protect our natural resources.