Nine File To Run For Providence City Council Seat

Nine File To Run For Providence City Council Seat

Nine candidates filed to run in the special election for the Providence City Council seat previously held by Miguel Luna, who died following a massive heart on August 18.

Six Democrats, two independents and a Republican will vie for the seat, with a Democratic primary set to take place Oct. 25 and the general election happening on Nov. 29.

Ward 9, which spans the Elmwood and Washington Park neighborhoods that run between Broad St. and Elmwood Ave. all the way to the Cranston line, was the first ward in the United States to have a Dominican-American Councilman, State Representative and State Senator.

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

Old & New

The candidates include familiar faces like perennial City Council candidate Hector Jose (D) as well as new names such an Onassis Martinez (D) and Republican Christian Chirino.

Jose, who is considered a viable contender in such a large field, offered three goals during his announcement speech this week: “To better the education of our children, and keep schools open in our neighborhood; To make our streets safer by working closely with our police department, and establishing more effective Crime watch groups; to hold accountable businesses and absent landlords from messes like this.

Martinez, meanwhile, is the son of longtime Dominican leader Victor Martinez and a newcomer to politics. He believes it will cost around $15,000 to win the race, but said he is committed to running because he wants his community to have confidence in its leaders.

“I have come to the decision to run for Councilman because I do not want to sit back and allow others to determine the fate and future of the Ward 9 community,” Martinez said. “Being a member of the South Providence community for 33 years and a proud father of two, born and raised in the community, I know firsthand many of the areas of ward 9 that need attention. Recently there have been many changes and se backs in the city of Providence. During these times it is easy to lose hope and confidence in our leaders. With that said I am eager to be given the chance to become the voice for ward9 and show my community that I am 110 percent committed to restore the confidence in our community.”

Candidates Line Up

In addition to Jose and Martinez, Carmen Castillo, who has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years after being born in the Dominican Republic, is running for the seat. Castillo, who has worked closely with Luna, State Rep. Grace Diaz and State Sen. Juan Pichardo in the past, is likely to have union support and could be the favorite in the race.

Rochelle Bates Lee, an executive committee member of the city Democratic Committee, is a Harvard- educated policy maker who could make some inroads. While she has made prior attempts at running for office, Lee is believed to be a person that can organize and will likely be able to raise the necessary funds for the campaign.

The other Democrats include Reinaldo Catone and Jose Severino.

Four Way General Election

Whoever wins the six-person Democratic primary will face a four-way general election with Independents Wendy Aguasuiva and Juan Hernandez and Chirino. If a non-Democrat wins the seat, they Council Member would be entitled to serve as Minority Leader, which would allow them a seat on every Committee on the Council. The current Council has all Democrats.

Chirino, who describes himself as a libertarian and Ron Paul supporter on his Facebook, criticized current members of the City Council this week following a car tax rally at City Hall.

“Today the Providence City Council had a Meeting that lasted 15 minutes, even though there was a sizable amount of constituents protesting the excise tax,” he wrote Thursday night. “If that wasn't absurd enough of the 12 or so Councilors who should up to the meeting only 3 stayed after the meeting was through, to speak to the Citizens. Councilman Igliozzi is the Chair of the Finance Committee contact this man if you want to get your car tax repealed.”

 

If you valued this article, please LIKE GoLocalProv.com on Facebook by clicking HERE.