Political Profile: San Shoppell, Candidate for State Rep. in District 65
GoLocalProv Political Team
Political Profile: San Shoppell, Candidate for State Rep. in District 65
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
I have been organizing and fighting for women’s rights for years (equal pay for equal work and reproductive freedom). The recent SCOTUS decision certainly brings the issue front and center. I will not stop showing up for women. That being said, the Housing Crisis is the biggest issue this campaign season. According to Crossroads Rhode Island, over 4,000 Rhode Islanders will experience homelessness this year. All the while big money real estate companies are buying up rental properties and raising the rent without mercy or concern for the people that live in these buildings. These increases will inevitably put more people on the streets. Without stable housing, adults are more likely to lose their jobs and children are more likely to drop out of school. This is why part of our platform is to build 10,000 new, green, affordable homes and cap rent increases to 4% annually.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
In order to improve RI’s economy we need: direct cash payments to the working poor and unemployed along with an increase to the minimum wage; vocational training programs to transition people out of fossil fuel industries; and new taxes on millionaires and billionaires. The new taxes on the highest 1% of earners will fund all of these economic stimulus programs. We saw proof during the pandemic that direct payments to the people that need them most prevents our economy from collapsing. With direct payments people will not have to choose between rent, groceries, healthcare and utilities. They will be able to afford all these basic needs and might have some left over to save for an emergency. We need to improve the support system for small businesses and promote RI as a positive place for the operation of small businesses.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
The greatest challenge facing RI as a state is bad faith politicians who act in the interest of corporations rather than in the interests of their constituents. I am sick and tired of bills with popular support from the people getting held in committee ‘for further study’ year after year. That behavior is how the wheels of government maintain the status quo. I witnessed lobbyists testify on behalf of countless business entities against paying their workers livable wages; while dozens of workers testified that they cannot pay their bills even when working full time. That bill (RI H7765, to increase minimum wage) was held for further study.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running for office because I know how hard life has become for the middle class, the working class, and people living in poverty. I come from a working class military family of 10 where everyone had a role to fill and a job to do in order for us to get along and get by. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. I have broad life experience. I am life-long learner and a creative thinker. I ran community-based non-profit art organizations. I was an entrepreneur; running my own businesses for several years. I was a chef for many years and the idea of mise en place (being prepared for anything) is a unique qualification of mine.
5. Who is your inspiration?
I am deeply inspired by the work of Jane Addams (1860-1935). She was the first woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She was a pioneer in American social work, a feminist, and a political internationalist. Her vision of improving the conditions that people live in was so far from the norm in the late 1800’s. She believed in community care that nurtured the mind as well as the body. That is to say, she knew that art and music and play were important for peoples’ wellbeing. She laid the groundwork for generations of social workers and peace workers in the United States with her devotion to helping those most in need. I believe I carry on her mission to this day by advocating for Universal Healthcare, paying workers a living wage, fighting for equitable quality education and guaranteed housing for all.
To learn more about her campaign go here.