Providence Councilwoman Ryan to Challenge Bell for State Senate Seat

Providence Councilwoman Ryan to Challenge Bell for State Senate Seat

Jo-Ann Ryan Tuesday announced her candidacy for District 5 in the Rhode Island State Senate. She is challenging sitting Senator Sam Bell.

First elected to the Providence City Council in 2014, Ryan and her husband Tom raised two children in Providence before she began a career in public service. 

“I am excited to announce my candidacy for the State Senate,” said Ryan. “The residents of our district need a strong voice who can deliver results at the State House. And one thing is for sure - from beating the boys on the basketball courts of Elmhurst to breaking into the male-dominated culture of New England banking in the 1980s after graduating from Providence College - I have proven I am up for the challenge.”

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In 2018, Ryan was elected majority leader of the first-ever majority-female Providence City Council. She has worked with her colleagues and citywide stakeholders to pass new zoning laws that protect neighborhoods from blight and revitalize main streets. Ryan also led the charge to bring a much-needed recreation center to Providence’s Elmhurst neighborhood and secure city-wide recreation funding.

Bell won a multi-candidate primary in 2018 and knocked long-time Senator Paul Jabour. Presently, Bell has $21,130.24 in his campaign account. Ryan has $23,613.87 cash-on-hand.

Bell is the most liberal member of the Senate and he defends his record.

"I'm proud of my record. I'm proud to have fought against the Medicaid cuts to our nursing homes. I'm proud to have fought against tax giveaways to the rich, politically connected corporations, and wealthy non-profits. I'm proud to have stood with the inspiring activists last year and voted to codify Roe v. Wade to protect a woman's right to choose.  I'm proud to have fought for rules reform. I'm proud to have fought for our immigrant neighbors. I'm proud to stood for criminal justice reform. I'm proud to have made the successful motion to end the practice of segregating out same gender identity marriage solemnizations.  I'm proud to have consistently voted for common-sense gun safety reforms.  And I'm proud to have called for emergency action to help struggling Rhode Islanders during this crisis--an issue that really shouldn't be so controversial," said Bell.

Ryan's Track Record

“As majority leader of the Providence City Council, I have a track record of uniting people from diverse backgrounds together behind one goal. Rhode Island will face a financial crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and our community and its neighborhoods deserve to have strong and effective representation during our state’s rebuilding process.” 

According to her announcement, Ryan claims she has over 30 years of experience in the Rhode Island financial industry. Currently, she is Vice President, Residential Mortgage Lending at Customers Bank. She previously served in senior management roles at Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation, Old Stone Bank and Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank. Her programs designed to help working families buy and keep affordable homes and her initiatives promoting management innovation have won national industry best practice awards. Ryan earned her B.S in Business Administration and her M.B.A from Providence College.

“No one thought it was possible for our capital city to ban plastic bags,” said Ryan. “Single-use plastic bags had become a constant in our daily lives, but they were also an environmental menace and a leading contributor to litter and plastic waste. I worked with my colleagues, environmental advocates, and the business community for months to craft a version that could become law and protect our environment. We listened to each other, we formed a consensus, and we are all better off because of it.”

Bell says he is an independent voice in the Senate.

"Most importantly, I'm proud to have been an independent voice, to have voted my conscience, even when it meant going against powerful political interests. I knew that would win me a primary challenge, and but I also knew that as long as my neighbors support the work I'm doing, it won't matter how much money the machine spends to unseat me," added Bell.

"I'm looking forward to having a friendly conversation with Councilwoman Ryan about our policy disagreements. I know she did not agree with my vote against the Fane Tower, a vote I stand by 100%. I know how important it was to her that the General Assembly pass legislation to let the city sell the Providence Water Supply Board, but I'm proud to have stood strong against privatizing our water. I'm excited to hear from her on other areas where we differ," he added.

Senate District 5 encompasses the Elmhurst, Mount Pleasant, Manton, Federal Hill, Olneyville and Armory neighborhoods.