2020 Election Profile: Kendra Anderson, RI State Senate District 31
GoLocalProv Political Team
2020 Election Profile: Kendra Anderson, RI State Senate District 31
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.
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1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
The biggest political issue in Rhode Island is that the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly exposed the systems and structures of the “haves” and the “have nots.” Many essential workers who were not able to work from home and in lower-paying jobs needed to risk exposure to the virus in order to feed their families, while the leadership of the General Assembly refused to meet to plan how to help these folks.
For too long, our political campaigns end with the well-connected getting elected over and over. This shuts out working-class neighborhoods and districts like mine as we watch the ‘haves’ continue the cycle of consolidating wealth, resources, and power. Many who are elected to our General Assembly never have a primary opponent as many people outside the system don’t see a way to be an active part of meaningful, effective change in their own community.
I hope my candidacy helps Rhode Islanders who don’t feel heard, considered, or represented to know that their voices matter, their experiences are valuable, and their contribution is a critical part of making Rhode Island work for everyone.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
Rhode Island needs good-paying jobs that attract bright and hard-working people to our state.
People leave the state to pursue opportunities elsewhere because our minimum wage is not a living wage. This creates a negative trickle-down effect. Less people in our communities means less tax revenue collected by our cities and towns which means less resources to create a more vibrant community. When not in a pandemic this also means less people shopping in our stores, and eating at our restaurants.
One exciting and incredibly important way to improve our economy and save our environment is by becoming the first state in the country to move to 100% renewable energy.
One of the biggest concerns in our communities is the high and rising costs of their utility bills. None of our electricity is produced in Rhode Island and we spend millions buying it elsewhere. With a gradual shift to 100% renewable energy produced right here in our own state through responsibly placed solar and wind, residents would begin to realize a significant savings on their utility bills, and many wouldn’t face the possibility of their lights going out because they were unable to pay their bills. Thousands of new jobs would be created. Instead of paying out-of-state companies for our electricity we could use that money to reinvest in local commerce and industry, small businesses, community projects, and other endeavors, which is a huge boost to our economy.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
The biggest challenge currently facing our state is the process of re-opening while keeping everyone safe during the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.
We need a plan for re-opening our schools that is a measured, common-sense plan based on data and made by a collaborative group that includes medical and public health experts, parents, teachers, school board members, custodial and maintenance staff and others who are actually in these schools every day.
I have come to learn, through my many conversations with educators, parents, grandparents, and students, most people are very nervous about opening schools without reliable testing, tracking, realistic plans, and enough resources so that all schools can keep everyone safe.
We must also help our businesses, especially those small and locally-owned, reopen while also abiding state health guidelines.
Rhode Island can’t afford to lose more businesses. We must work creatively and responsibly to make sure that doesn’t happen.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I’ve logged long hours as an environmental and social justice activist, and many of those hours at the R.I State House talking to legislators and testifying on the right side of legislation. With this experience and insight into the practices at the State House, and my personal and professional experience, I felt I was a good candidate for office and decided to enter the race.
As a civic leader, I am on the Leadership Committee of the Norwood Neighborhood Association and as an environmental activist am the past President of Climate Action Rhode Island.
As an educator, I know the issues facing our schools. While many may speak of the importance of supporting our public schools, I am the only state senatorial candidate in my district whose child attended public schools from K-12.
As an only parent, I know what it’s like to juggle several minimum wage jobs simultaneously in order to put food on the table while being there for my son. I know the deep pit in my stomach when the mortgage is due and I have to get up at 2 AM to deliver newspapers in order to meet my financial obligations.
The reality is, my story isn’t unusual in my district or in the state, yet somehow people like me don’t make up the majority of the General Assembly.
The people in our district deserve someone who understands what it is to be working class, to strive, to care, and to hold a vision for a vibrant community that works for everyone. I am that person.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My inspiration is my mother.
When I was recently endorsed by Planned Parenthood Votes RI, I called my mom and she cried. She was so happy to know her daughter would continue the work she started years ago.
In the late 1970s, my mom and I worked alongside countless others, for a woman's right to control her own body and have access to safe, reproductive healthcare. Unfortunately, since 2016, Rhode Islander are again fighting for these same rights. Thankfully, through the will of the people and some very hard working legislators, Roe V Wade was codified into Rhode Island law last year!
I am grateful to my parents for teaching me, through their example and through many family discussions, how important it is to care about others. If it wasn’t for them showing me the rewards of civic engagement and the value of civic leadership, I wouldn’t be running for office.
Bio
Kendra grew up in the Fox Point section of Providence in a multi-family home where all of the neighborhood kids played outside from dawn until dusk. Both her parents were teachers and her mother stressed that service to others was their way of life.
She brought up her son, Jake with these same values. Together they’ve helped clean up efforts with Save the Bay, delivered food and supplies to homeless shelters like Sojourner House or brought friendship and household items to families who have recently emigrated to R.I. As an adult, he now works at Looking Upwards as a caseworker helping individuals to learn life skills in order to lead healthy and independent lives.
Kendra has devoted most of her professional life to teaching and social service work. Early in her career, Kendra was a case manager and teacher at Head Start, providing early learning and health services to assist the growth and development of young children. More recently, she served as an environmental educator, teaching school children about responsible energy use. She currently teaches English as a Second Language in Central Falls.
Closer to home, she serves on the Norwood Neighborhood Association Leadership Team. She is committed to addressing issues facing the Norwood community and the community of Warwick and Rhode Island as a whole.
Social Media and Contact Info
Website: https://www.kendraandersonri.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/kendraandersonri
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/KendraForRI
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/KendraForRI
Email: [email protected]