Political Profile: Eric Asselin, Candidate for State Senate, District 26

Political Profile: Eric Asselin, Candidate for State Senate, District 26

Eric Asselin is running for State Senate in District 26. Here's what he has to say. 

 

1.  What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island? 

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

Investing in our children. We simply don’t do it. Gina Raimondo ran on universal pre-k in 2018, now our leaders are saying hopefully 2028? That’s too late for thousands of Rhode Islanders. Instead, parents pay what amounts to a second mortgage payment for childcare. Paid family leave is also necessary for families. The first few months of an infant’s life are vital to their development but employers expect you back soon after a child is born, making parents choose between financial stability and their child. The U.S and Papua New Guinea are the only UN countries that don’t have employer requirements for paid time off for new parents!  When it comes to public education, I honestly think our leaders don’t understand or ignore how bad public education is. As a teacher on the ground level, I see it. We don’t invest in mental health counselors, there are fewer after school programs, the buildings are outdated, trades have disappeared from public education and EVERYTHING revolves around test scores.  Most people couldn’t care less whether their carpenter can write a perfect 5 paragraph essay. These issues aren't and shouldn’t be political; these are popular across the political spectrum.

 

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

Three things immediately come to mind: First, Eliminate price gouging and punish the greedy corporations doing it. It’s immoral. Inflation is a real problem no doubt, but it’s a global problem. Inflation was what, 9% at its peak? That's +$18 on a $200 grocery bill. But instead, we’re paying $275-300! But why isn’t that talked about with the same vigor in our corporate media? Second, We need to place rent caps on greedy landlords. Thousands are being put on the streets because of rent hikes. Our veterans, families, and children are out on the streets.The framing that everyone on the streets is an addict or has mental health problems is nonsense. No, the owners are profiting off of pain. Third, Everyone needs to be paid a living wage of at least $19/hour. As MLK once said, “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance” The ‘working poor’ is not a term used in other developed countries. Too many people in this state are not rewarded for their labor and that needs to change.  

 

3.  What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state? 

Time.The greatest challenge is convincing people that the time for change is now and that it CAN happen. But why do they feel that way? Because time and time again, the status quo in both parties have promised things and failed to deliver for working people. They run out the clock, kick the can down the road and hand the problem over to their hand picked successor where they do the same thing. The thing is when it comes to climate, we don’t have time. When it comes to fixing our schools, we don’t have time. When it comes to our children, we don’t have time. The time for half measures is over. The time for action is now.

 

4.  Why are you running for office? 

What makes you uniquely qualified? As a public school teacher, I’ve been on the ground floor and have seen how our children have been left behind. I’m running because I’m sick of seeing people suffer and then having to post a gofundme because our elected leaders do nothing.  It’s as simple as this: I’m not owned. I’m not beholden to corporations. I’m not a mouthpiece for the fossil fuel industries or Jeff Bezos. I’m not beholden to the establishment Democrats. What I say is what I believe. 

 

5.  Who is your inspiration?  

George Carlin. I know, not your typical answer. But I’m a huge fan of his comedy. He punched up at our institutions, not down on the unfortunate and marginalized. His monologue about the ‘owners’ in this country that culminated in his famous quote, “it’s one big club…and you ain’t in it”, is as powerful as it is true. He spoke truth to power. He called out the hypocrisy of our institutions. That ‘big club’ he’s talking about exists in D.C., it exists in RI, and it exists in Cranston. I want to close that club and open a new one for the working people of RI. 

Bio

Eric Asselin grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to two working class parents and now resides in Cranston with his wife and two young daughters. He fulfilled his dream of becoming a public school teacher in 2005. He has witnessed firsthand the lack of investment in public education that has caused crumbling infrastructure and the lack of necessary resources our children need, more than ever after the COVID pandemic.

Now a sole proprietor as well, he has seen how the working, middle class needs to work harder and longer hours for less. When elected, Eric will fight for all working families, in every neighborhood, invest in their children’s future and help make the American Dream a reality.

For more info go here.