2020 Election Profile: Leslie Estrada, RI State Senate District 16

2020 Election Profile: Leslie Estrada, RI State Senate District 16

Leslie Estrada is running for election in Senate District 16 (Central Falls, Pawtucket).

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? 

I believe the biggest issue we faced as candidates in this campaign has been the pandemic. We needed to collect signatures door to door and it was very challenging to us in particular, because we have one of the highest Covid-19 contamination. As candidates we exposed our family and ourselves by collecting the required signatures and campaigning door to door. Lastly, the mail in ballots definitely has been the biggest political issue we are facing.

2.  What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?

First, raising the minimum wage, while this is challenging, we can put in place a plan to start the increase year to year. We have constituents earning poverty level income and expect them to pay $1,500.00 for a three-bedroom apartment along with the rising utility cost. This is unfair and unrealistic; we cannot have families choosing between feeding their children and paying bills. We have to continue to invest in creating jobs to open the economy for employment opportunities, for example bringing back companies that have left Rhode Island. We need to invest in education, like hands-on training with opportunities of secure job placement. Finally, we should think about giving incentives to our taxpayers, so they stop crossing the borders to shop in Massachusetts. We need to keep them shopping here so the money is re-invested in our own state and not to our bordering states.

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.

Rhode Island like many other states are feeling the impact from the effects of Covid-19. In five short months our system has been financially shuddered, today we face the largest financial deficit we have possibly ever seen, and unemployment is at similar levels to the Great Recession.

4.  Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?  

My family and I arrived in Central Falls in 1976, I grew up here and have remained here my entire life. I became a single mother at the age of sixteen, but I had to work harder than others because I was defined by a zip code. I know I can make a difference because I am not speaking theory, I am a product of Central Falls. I would not be far-fetched to say that all those who have grown here have had to learn how navigate and work harder than most in order to get ahead.

It is important to be vocal and sometimes outspoken, shaking things up is not a bad thing, but if you shake a tree hard enough where all the leaves fall off there will also be no shade. Let us not forget those individuals that we are asking for the privilege not only to represent but to take care of deserve that shade not just pontificating. 

The Rhode Island General Assembly consist of one hundred and thirteen members; I have to be able to work with all the members in order to deliver to my community. A candidate needs to earn the respect and confidence of their colleagues to be able to deliver to the community. That will not occur if my platform begins insinuating that I am the smartest in the room and the rest have done it all wrong. I believe that I am that candidate; that I can be a part of the Rhode Island General Assembly and work diligently with colleagues to deliver to my community.

5.  Who is your inspiration?  

I have three exceptional women that have been my inspiration. My mother for raising me as a single parent with only a second-grade education. She provided a wonderful loving home and work several jobs to provide for me.

The other very important woman that inspired me has been Anna Cano-Morales. Mrs. Cano-Morales has been an incredible role model, we come from similar backgrounds and her support and her success inspired me to finish college and follow my dreams. Finally, Mrs. Gena Bianco, she was my college advisor. I remember, there were days I just wanted to give up, being a single mom, working and attending school, while trying to raise two children alone became too overwhelming. Gena never gave up on me, pushing me to be the best that I could be. I thank these three incredible strong women who have inspired me to be who I am today; they never gave up on me.