“Our residents deserve a City Councilor who is accessible, and responsive. That is why I hold monthly community meetings, and walk our ward every summer to listen to the issues that matter most.“

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Cranston City Councilmember John Donegan announced today that he is seeking a second-term to represent Ward 3 on the City Council.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished during my first term, and I look forward to continuing my service to our Ward, and the City of Cranston, in a second term,” Donegan said.  “These are challenging times, but now more than ever we need elected officials who will show up for their constituents. I’m running for re-election because I believe we need to find compassionate solutions to the issues we face so that we may realize a just and equitable Cranston for everyone.”

“Councilmember Donegan has worked tirelessly for the residents of Ward 3 and will continue to serve them well,” said Cranston Democratic City Committee Chairman Michael J Sepe. “John’s professionalism, thorough approach, and hopeful attitude are qualities we need from more of our elected officials. He understands the difficulties that many Cranston residents face, and he always stands up for them.”

In 2018, Donegan became one of the youngest individuals elected to the City Council in decades, and has strived to be a responsive, thoughtful policy-maker willing to work in a bipartisan manner. Donegan has introduced numerous pieces of legislation passed into law including an ordinance amendment strengthening rodent control efforts, an ordinance to waive fees or penalties for residents who are struggling to pay their 4th quarter taxes this year due to the pandemic, an ordinance to prohibit single-use plastic bags, and an ordinance raising the minimum wage for city employees. He has also helped secure additional funding in the budget for the schools and secured additional funding for the rental assistance program; which helps low-income residents, and those facing domestic violence, or an emergency, avoid homeless. He is currently working to place a $5M bond proposal on the ballot to the voters this November to finance projects to improve the City’s green infrastructure, address energy consumption, and combat climate change. 

“Throughout the last year and a half, I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure to get to know Councilmember Donegan and work with him on impactful initiatives such as the resolution in support of the Reproductive Healthcare Act, supporting the continuance of funding of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, a resolution encouraging the ban of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and concealed weapons in schools and co-sponsoring of ordinances,” said Cranston City Councilwoman Lammis Vargas, Ward 1. “In addition, we advocated to bring Cranston city hall from antiquated technology to a modern day website. Councilmember Donegan is all hands on deck on a wide range of issues that impact our city from the protection of our environment and quality public education to being a proponent of diversifying our city employment and advocating for every family in our city.  Clearly, he has the drive and passion needed, and with John on the City Council the residents and business owners of Cranston will continue to be in great hands.”

Since being elected, Donegan has held a public community meeting almost every month, offering residents an opportunity to meet, ask questions, voice issues or concerns, and work together to solve the issues. “Our residents deserve a City Councilor who is accessible, and responsive. That is why I hold monthly community meetings, and walk our ward every summer to listen to the issues that matter most,” said Donegan. 

Outside of legislating, Donegan organized several bike path clean ups, and, with community partners, organized the inaugural Ward 3 Holiday Tree Lighting at the Governor Sprague Mansion. Donegan also organized a city-wide mutual aid group to help connect vulnerable residents with volunteers during the COVID-19 crisis. With Councilperson Steve Stycos, Donegan established a community garden at Arlington Elementary, and he is currently working to establish a splash pad in the Gladstone-Arlington neighborhood. As a member of the Cranston Health Equity Zone, Donegan works to reduce health disparities in Cranston.

“John Donegan has brought new energy to our City Council,” said Ward 3 resident Grace Swinski. “He is constantly communicating with his constituents to resolve issues, and working to build a more cohesive community. As Ward 3 residents, we are fortunate to have such a responsive and considerate City Councilperson.”

“I look forward to continuing a resident-driven, community-centered approach to finding compassionate solutions to the issues facing our City,” said Donegan. “We are in the midst of a public health crisis, a housing crisis, a climate crisis, and an economic crisis with many families struggling to make ends meet. I will continue to amplify the voices of working families and marginalized communities; work to make our city government more accessible and transparent; work to make our schools safer and more enriching places of learning; support a better framework to grow our local economy and boost small businesses; fight to improve housing affordability and housing standards; protect our environment and combat climate change; focus on quality of life issues facing our neighborhoods; and continue to be an honest, accessible, and transparent representative for Ward 3 on the Cranston City Council.”

John Donegan is a life-long Cranston resident, and resides in the Stadium neighborhood with his wife, Laura, a public school teacher. He graduated from La Salle Academy in 2009, earned a degree in History and Philosophy from Assumption College in 2013, and a Master’s degree in Modern European, and American History from Providence College in 2016. Donegan works for an insurance company negotiating claims. Ward 3 includes parts of the Stadium, Woodridge, Forest Hills, Gladstone, and Arlington neighborhoods.