Political Profile: Jackie Anderson, Candidate for House District 23

Political Profile: Jackie Anderson, Candidate for House District 23

Jackie Anderson is running as a Democrat for State Representative in District 23. Here's what she has to say. 

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

The biggest political issue this campaign season is the status of abortion rights in our state. The overturning of Roe vs. Wade this past June has led to attacks on reproductive rights around the country, and it’s on our government to protect abortion access in the state. We must enact the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, and ensure that abortion is covered for everyone on Medicaid and Rhode Island’s state employees. My primary opponent, House Speaker Shekarchi, won’t even bring the bill up for a vote. As a state representative, I will protect women’s right to choose by sponsoring and pushing for the EACA.  
 

 

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

The deep economic recession caused by the COVID-19 crisis has caused hardship for thousands of Rhode Island families. If we want to improve Rhode Island’s economy, we need to invest in our workers and our small businesses. First and foremost, we need to pass a living wage of $19 an hour, for both tipped and untipped workers. The cost of healthcare, housing, and education has skyrocketed in this state and around the country, and wages have failed to keep up the pace. Enacting a fair, living minimum wage for all is the first step towards bridging that gap. When in office, I will also push to end tax breaks and massive handouts to giant corporations. That money will be invested back into Rhode Islanders, through job-creating programs like a Rhode Island Green New Deal, or permanent investments into our public education program. Investing in Rhode Islanders is the only way we can get our economy back on track.
 

 

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

We have had an affordable housing crisis in this state for decades, and the pandemic has only made things worse. More than 146,000 Rhode Island households pay over 30% of their gross income on mortgage payments or rent. I am running to ensure that every Rhode Islander gets the affordable housing they deserve. In the State House, I will sponsor a bill to fund the construction of 10,000 green, truly affordable homes in our state. These homes will be permanently affordable; no family living in these homes will pay more than 20% of their income on rent and utilities. I will also push for the extension of the eviction moratorium for the remainder of the pandemic, and for the implementation of statewide rent control. We must act swiftly and boldly to address the housing crisis.
 

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

 As someone who has worked in healthcare for over a decade, I have seen major problems with our healthcare system that I cannot fix at a patient’s bedside. I’ve witnessed just how helpless and vulnerable a lack of accessible healthcare can make us. I’m running for my patients and for anyone struggling to afford healthcare. For the single parents struggling to make ends meet amidst the soaring cost of living. For our elderly and chronically ill. For anyone struggling to afford raising a family.

I’m running because, as a mother, I know how important every Warwick child’s education is. My youngest is entering 5th grade this year and my eldest is a recent graduate of Tollgate High School. I've seen firsthand how difficult the last few years have been on our teachers and students and know that there’s a whole lot more we can do to support them—starting with paying our teachers a living wage and fully funding our public schools.

We can build a Warwick where everyone has what they need to live a good life – affordable healthcare, affordable housing, high-quality education, and the opportunity to raise a family.

5. Who is your inspiration?

This cycle, I am running alongside a slate of progressive working-class candidates. They are nurses, teachers, single moms, and social workers. They are my inspiration. We know that no one person can single-handedly challenge the status quo and create the change this state needs. Only a movement can. I believe that together, the candidates I’m running alongside, can create a Rhode Island that truly works for everyone.

 

BIO:

Jackie is a lifelong Rhode Islander and a working mom. She has worked as a nurse for 11 years, specializing in labor & delivery and OBGYN care. As a nurse, Jackie has grown frustrated watching our expensive healthcare system leave working people behind. As a mom, Jackie sees first-hand how our underfunded and mismanaged schools are letting our students down. Jackie is running to ensure that everyone can afford healthcare for their families and provide their kids with a high-quality education.