Giannini Considers Running Again for State Rep in Providence in 2016

Giannini Considers Running Again for State Rep in Providence in 2016

Former Rhode Island State Representative Joanne Giannini has told GoLocal that she is "seriously considering" a run again in District 7 in Providence.

Giannini, a Democrat, was first elected to the district in 1994, before she announced she would not be running again in 2010.

"I am giving it a lot of thought," said Giannini over the weekend, of a run in 2016. Giannini has been a frequent GoLocal contributor, with a focus on addressing prostitution and Backapage.com. 

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

While serving in the General Assembly, Giannini advocated for changing the prostitution law in Rhode Island, submitting bills annually to close legal loophole that allowed indoor prostitution.

In 2009, a 16-year-old from Boston was found to be working at a strip club in Providence. Giannini then introduced a bill to ban minors from working in strip clubs in Rhode Island, which was approved add signed into law a few months later. 

Recent Ward Elections

Maria Cimini won uncontested in District 7 in the General Election in 2010 and 2012; Dan McKiernan won in 2014. 

On Friday, state Representatives Dan Reilly (D), Helio Melo (D) and Joe Trillo (R) all announced they would not be running again in 2016.