RI Election 2024: Warwick Mayoral Challenger, Cranston Heats Up, and New Endorsements
GoLocalProv Political Team
RI Election 2024: Warwick Mayoral Challenger, Cranston Heats Up, and New Endorsements
This coming week, a Warwick mayor candidate announces, a new State Senate candidate jumps into the race, and some major endorsements are announced.
Each week, GoLocal will feature some of those running for local offices across the state.
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Warwick
Patrick E. Maloney Jr., the former vice chair of the Warwick School Committee, announced he is running for Mayor of the City of Warwick.
He will challenge Frank Picozzi.
“During my tenure [2018-22] on the School Committee, I helped negotiate a 20% co-pay for all employees for the first time in Warwick history, saving millions (approximately $4.6 Million annually) for Warwick Taxpayers,” said Maloney.
“We paid back the City a $2.3 Million deficit the previous school committee had created. We Voted to end the practice of a pension for School Committee Members,” he added.
He added, "We balanced the School Budget successfully for four straight years. We actually reduced the budget during these years without cutting fantastic programs like ALAP, which was cut the year following my departure from the committee."
Lanen Announces for Cranston Senate Seat
Chris Lanen, announced his candidacy for the Rhode Island State Senate, District 28. "Lanen steps forward with a vision to build on the strong foundation laid by the retiring incumbent, Senator Josh Miller, who represented his constituents with an unwavering commitment to his community," said his campaign.
“Senator Miller has been a stalwart champion for our district for the last 18 years, tirelessly advocating for progressive policies and ensuring the voices of our community were heard in government,” said Lanen. “His leadership on issues ranging from healthcare reform to social justice and beyond has left an indelible mark on our district and our state.”
The campaign announcement added, "Lanen is eager to continue this legacy of dedicated service and is focused on three key policy themes: affordable housing, addressing the lagging consequences of the pandemic, and making investments in the green economy."
Lanen said he will be putting $15,000 into his campaign to start the race.
A graduate of Bentley University and the University of Massachusetts School of Law, he is employed as an expert in corporate ethics and anti-corruption compliance. A resident of the Edgewood neighborhood dating back to 2001, Lanen and his wife Kelly Rogers are the parents of their two-year-old son Sam and their 10-year-old dog Louie.
Rhode Island — Today, the Rhode Island Working Families Party announced its first round of 2024 candidate endorsements, including support for two challengers—Kelsey Coletta and Giona Picheco—and 14 incumbents running to improve conditions for working families in RI:
Rep. Edith Ajello
Rep. José Batista
Kelsey Coletta (HD-42)
Rep. Cherie Cruz
Rep. Leonela Felix
Rep. Art Handy
Rep. Rebecca Kislak
Rep. David Morales
Giona Picheco
Rep. Brandon Potter
Rep. Enrique Sanchez
Rep. June Speakman
Rep. Jennifer Stewart
Rep. Teresa Tanzi
Sen. Meghan Kallman
Sen. Linda Ujifusa
“In recent years, we've seen exceptional leaders join the General Assembly, and their collaborative efforts are bearing fruit for working people—Black, white, and brown,” said Georgia Hollister Isman, New England Regional Director of the Working Families Party. This list of endorsements reaffirms the Working Families Party’s commitment both to defending these champions and to expanding their ranks by challenging legislators who oppose the interests of working people.”