The Scoop - The Update on RI Politics, June 22, 2016

GOP Primary District 15

Republican Shawna Lawton to Run Against Mattiello - Needs to Beat Frias First

She heads RI Alliance for Vaccine Choice and is a sales and marketing professional, Monday announces her candidacy for R.I. House Representative in District 15.

Presently, the seat is held by Speaker Nick Mattiello. She will face a GOP primary against Boston lawyer and Projo columnist Steve Frias. 

“I am running for R.I. House Representative because I believe the decisions being made in our General Assembly are not in the best interest of Rhode Islanders. I believe my opponent is steering our state off course and not working to alleviate the problems that affect our everyday lives,” said Lawton. 

“Votes are being influenced and there is unnecessary wasteful spending at the taxpayers’ expense. I believe we need to change the way our state is run, and in order to do this, we need to change the players. The people of District 15 need leadership that is focused on their concerns, not on the insiders in the State House. I am committed to change for the people in district 15 and for the State of R.I.”

Lawton Helps Lead Anti-Vaccine Group

The anti-vaccine group Lawton helped form says, “is organized for the purpose of advocating for legislation that supports parental rights and informed consent. All individuals should be given full knowledge of possible risks and benefits relating to medical procedures and vaccines including the HPV vaccine.”

Many health professionals debunk the position of anti-vaccine groups.  

In an article in the New York Times in January, physicians voiced their frustration with parents who opposed vaccinations.

“Sometimes, I feel like we’re practicing in the 1950s,” said Dr. Eric Ball, a pediatrician in southern Orange County, where some schools report that 50 to 60 percent of their kindergartners are not fully vaccinated and that 20 to 40 percent of parents have sought a personal beliefs exemption to vaccination requirements. “It’s very frustrating. It’s hard to see a kid suffer for something that’s entirely preventable.”

Steve Frias is also running as a Republican

As a Candidate

According to Lawton’s press release, her “primary goals will be improving the state of our crippled economy, fostering transparency in our local government, and strengthening education.” 

“I am running for RI House Representative looking clearly to the future—the future of our children, our community, and our state. I will be a voice for the people of District 15 that demands reform.”  

Shawna Lawton is a native Rhode Islander who has been a resident of Cranston for over 16 years. 

Jones in NK

Tony Jones - Leading Libertarian Running in NK

Pledging to repeal ordinances that require unnecessary permits and licenses, Wickford resident Tony Jones Monday announced his candidacy for the North Kingstown Town Council. Jones will run as a member of Libertarian Party.

“I want to make the town as business-friendly as possible, and that means looking at existing town ordinances with an eye toward repealing the ones that impose unnecessary burdens, permits and licenses,” Jones said.

In addition to cutting bureaucratic red tape, Jones says his priority is to improve communication between elected officials and residents. “When taxpayers voice their concerns and ideas, they deserve to know they are being heard and represented. I am committed to better constituent services than we are currently getting.”

Jones said he also wants to help develop a good volunteer base for North Kingstown, as well as promote North Kingstown as an arts, culture, and food destination.

A lifelong Rhode Islander, Jones is a realtor. A former operations supervisor with General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation, Jones is also proprietor of Tony Jones Omnimedia and founder, creative director, and on-air host of the non-profit RI Free Radio.  Tony is a graduate of C.C.R.I. in new media communications and is currently attending American Public University

Tony Jones is a member of the North Kingstown Arts Council, and the Mount Vernon Lodge No.4 Free and Accepted Masons. The state committee member at-large for the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island, Jones ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2014. He is currently the state director for the Gary Johnson 2016 presidential campaign.

DeSimone Challenger

Marcia Ranglin-Vassell is challenging House Majority Leader John DeSimone for  in House District 5.

“Our community needs someone who will fight for us. For too long, we’ve had politicians who are only helping themselves and their well-connected friends. I have spent my entire life working, teaching, and fighting for families like mine. Families who’ve worked hard for everything they’ve got and just want a fair shot. Our neighborhood needs an advocate who won’t give up. As a mother, a Providence public school teacher, and a community activist, I have done everything I can to give my children, my students, and my neighbors a chance at success. I'm running to bring that same passion and determination to the State House, for all of us," said Ranglin-Vassell. 

DeSimone, who was first elected in 1992 and has been Majority Leader since 2014, recently paid over $18,000 in overdue taxes after a legal notice was posted at his home. 

Slater Runs Again

State Representative Scott Slater announced on Monday he will seek re-election

Slater represents District 10, which includes Providence’s West End, Reservoir and Elmwood neighborhoods.

“District 10’s working families need a strong, progressive voice at the State House,” said Representative Slater. “I have lived here my entire life and know the issues that matter most to our residents. While we are a diverse community, we are brought together by our shared values of hard work, community and compassion. I will continue to champion sensible economic policies to make life a little easier for District 10’s working families.”

Representative Slater was first elected in a 2009 special election after the passing of his father, Representative Thomas C. Slater. He won re-election in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

“My father showed me the importance of public service from a young age,” said Representative Slater. “For years I had the privilege of watching him be a voice for the voiceless in our state, and I now have the honor of waking up each day to fight for those same causes. Whether you are rich or poor, homeless or have a roof over your head, speak English or Spanish, you deserve a strong voice at the State House and I seek the opportunity to serve as that voice.”

June 27, 2016

Carnevale's Challenge

Ramon Perez has announced his candidacy for State Representative in House District 13 (Silver Lake section of Providence and Hartford Ave. area of both Providence and Johnston).  The seat is currently held by Rep. John Carnevale.

The Providence Board of Canvassers announced on Tuesday they would investigate if Carnevale was guilty of voter fraud.

Perez, age 44, lives at 42 Ophelia St. in Providence.

"Perez is a small businessman, who runs a taxi company.  He is the leader of the Providence Taxi Association.  Perez is active with the Jesus Christ Fountain Of Life Pentecostal Church," said the campaign announcement.

Perez pledges to fight against higher taxes, and against tolls on trucks and cars.  Perez will work for security for our neighborhoods and families, and will support legislation to combat violence against women. 

A Battle in Coventry?

Scott Copley, a Coventry resident and a lifelong Rhode Islander has announced he is running for Rhode Island Senate in District 33. The seat is presently held by Lou Raptakis.

Cpley said will be running as an Independent.

“I am running in this election for the purpose of providing a voice of change from the status quo here in Rhode Island,” said Copley.   “Our state continues to rank at or near the bottom in most key categories and our current elected officials continue to drive us in the same direction.  We need fundamental change to turn this state around and higher fees, taxes and tolls won’t do it.”   

Copley has been a resident of Coventry since 2012. He graduated from Johnson Wales University with a B.S in Criminal Justice.

 “Over the past few years I have become very concerned with the direction of our state,” said Copley.  “The democratic leadership in the General Assembly has made it clear that the road to prosperity includes higher fees, taxes and now tolls.  My district is currently being represented by someone who continually votes with leadership and doesn’t represent the people of Coventry.  He has even voted to pay 38 Studios bondholder’s.  It’s time for change.”

He is a former Truant Officer for the City of Attleboro and a graduate of the Rhode Island Training School academy.

Copley currently works as a sales representative for RJ Reynolds Tobacco.

Taub Gets Support

Former Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño to Camapign for Russell Taub
 
Taub for Congress announces that Luis Fortuño, former Governor of Puerto Rico, will spend two days in RI in support of Taub.
 
 "I am proud to have earned the endorsement of such a pillar of the Republican Party."  Said H. Russell Taub, candidate for the US House in Rhode Island's District 1.
 
Former Governor Luis Fortuño will be attending meet and greet campaign events and then at night he will be headlining a fundraiser. In addition, he will be campaigning in Providence and Newport.
  
"Taub is a working Rhode Islander who is taking time out to run for Congress because of his conviction that government at all levels has failed its taxpaying constituents," said the campaign.   Follow his campaign.