Democratic candidates for the open District 68 (Bristol, Warren) seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives attended a candidate forum held by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island Monday evening. June Speakman and Richard Ruggiero answered questions posed by the moderator Christy Nadalin an editor for East Bay Newspapers.

The two candidates agreed on most issues, including the Reproductive Health Care Act, which Speakman fully supports, and Ruggiero supports as well, even though he identifies as pro-life. Perhaps the greatest issue of separation for the two candidates is the taxing and regulation of recreational marijuana. Speakman supports it, Ruggiero is opposed.

On February 18 there will another candidate forum held that should feature all the candidates in the race. In addition to the winner of the primary, invited to that debate are the incumbent, State Representative Kenneth Marshall a Democrat turned Independent, Libertarian William Hunt and Independent James McCanna III.

Below is all the video:

Opening Statement June Speakman:

Opening Statement Richard Ruggiero:

Q1. If you’re elected, and you can accomplish only one thing in your first term, what would it be?

Speakman:

Ruggiero:

Q2. Rhode Island is one of 13 states that taxes Social Security. Would you work on repealing this for Rhode Islanders?

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Q3. Would you vote in favor of the Reproductive Health Care Act introduced by Representative Ajello which makes Roe v Wade part of rhode Island State Law?

Speakman:

Ruggiero:

Q4. Do you support the Governor having the power to veto state budget line items? Why or why not?

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Q5. Climate change and sea level rise threaten coastal communities, including ours. What policies would you support to combat it?

Speakman:

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Q6. What measures would you advocate for reducing gun violence?

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Q7. What would support or propose in the next session to address the overdose crisis in Rhode Island?

Speakman:

Ruggiero:

Back and forth:

Q8. What experience qualifies you to be a State Representative?

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Q9. What would you do to increase transparency in state government?

Speakman:

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Q10. What are the three most important issues you want to focus on if elected?

Ruggiero:

Speakman:

Closing Statement June Speakman:

Closing Statement Richard Ruggiero:

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