Diossa Announces Run for RI General Treasurer

Diossa Announces Run for RI General Treasurer

James Diossa, the former two-term mayor of Central Falls, announced his candidacy for Rhode Island General Treasurer. 

Diossa helped oversee the turnaround of Central Falls after the city's bankruptcy.

“Next year I will be a candidate for General Treasurer,” said Diossa. "I believe the government needs to serve the people -- not the other way around," he continued. "As General Treasurer, I will continue working toward positive change for my state through hard work and honesty, because that's the kind of leader Rhode Islanders deserve.” 

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In 2020, Diossa was a candidate for the vacant Lt. Governor's position, but was not selected by Governor Dan McKee. 

This is expected to be a crowded field in the Democratic primary. 

“I’m running for Treasurer to move Rhode Island forward,” said Diossa, “and not let it slip back into the old way of doing things. It doesn't matter if you live in Warren, Warwick, Westerly, or Woonsocket. I have a record of getting stuff done and making progress. If someone mentions my hometown, they’re likely to think of how the city went bankrupt before I became mayor. After my election, I served two terms and never took my eye off the ball. We worked our way back into solvency, and now, Central Falls is back in the black. I want to bring that same common sense, decency, and responsibility to the whole state. I’m from Rhode Island, and I will always be for Rhode Island”

Diossa, 36, lives in Pawtucket with his fiance State Senator Sandra Cano, and their two-year-old daughter. He currently works at The Policy Lab at Brown University.

He is a Rhode Island native, attended public schools in Central Falls where he led the Warriors to a state championship in soccer. Diossa played collegiate Soccer at Becker College while attaining his degree in Criminal Justice. He served on the City Council before becoming the first Latino mayor in Central Falls history.

“Friends and supporters around the state have encouraged me to seek this office,” said Diossa, "because of the urgent need to have a General Treasurer who has a real track record of common sense leadership, sound fiscal management and a commitment to transparency that was my hallmark as mayor. Even though I won’t be kicking off my campaign until next year, I always want to be honest with Rhode Islanders. That's why I am not being coy and instead announcing that I have made this decision.” 

Diossa is the first major candidate to enter the race and will be kicking off his campaign in 2022.