“We need representation that is forward-thinking to address the concerns of the future so that our families can enjoy all that Rhode Island has to offer for generations to come.”

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Long time Portsmouth resident Michelle McGaw announced her candidacy for State Representative in District 71, which includes Little Compton, Portsmouth and Tiverton. The House District 71 seat is currently held by Dennis Canario, a Democrat. McGaw is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. She and her husband Jim have made Portsmouth their home since 1991.

“I have been fortunate to be able to raise my family on the shores of Narragansett Bay,” writes McGaw. “I would like to see a Rhode Island that provides opportunities so that families can continue to thrive here.

“As the mother of two grown sons I see numerous challenges facing the next generation including student loan debt, stagnant wages, rising healthcare costs, lack of affordable housing and changes in our environment. We need representation that is forward-thinking to address the concerns of the future so that our families can enjoy all that Rhode Island has to offer for generations to come.”

McGaw continues her work as a pharmacist, while also advocating for issues that are important to her such as improved access to healthcare, addressing environmental issues and access to quality education. She currently serves on the executive committee for the Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus, the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee, the Portsmouth Waste and Recycling Committee and the Portsmouth Charter Review Committee.

“Michelle is an inspiration to me. She has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help our community, from coordinating volunteers for a baseball league for children with disabilities to serving on the Portsmouth Solid Waste and Recycling Committee to delivering care to seniors as a pharmacist,” said Linda Ujifusa, Vice-President of the Portsmouth Town Council. “I’ve seen her help build volunteer organizations from the ground up and make people at the State House pay attention. Michelle McGaw not only works for people, she knows how to work with people. District 71 would be lucky to have Michelle as a State Representative.”

While advocating at the State House for issues that are important to her, McGaw has seen the barriers to progress and the limitations of the voices of voters. She is running for office because she wants to work to help break down those barriers and to raise the voices of our community.

[From a press release]