Press Release

Reclaim Rhode Island celebrates victories, but the work continues

With so many new, progressive faces in the General Assembly, the time is right to pass a Justice Budget that puts people first. Over the coming weeks, Reclaim members will be working hard alongside our coalition partners to push lawmakers to adopt a Justice Budget that makes significant changes to housing, economic, and criminal justice policy.

Rhode Island News: Reclaim Rhode Island celebrates victories, but the work continues

November 5, 2020, 9:30 am

By Reclaim RI

Reclaim Rhode Island congratulates our endorsed candidates on their victories last night in Rhode Island’s general election. Both Leonela Felix and Brandon Potter defeated Republican opponents to secure their seats in the General Assembly. Their victories send a strong message to the State House that Rhode Islanders are tired of policies that favor the wealthy and the well-connected. In a presidential election year marked by great uncertainty, this much is clear: Rhode Islanders want to see social spending preserved and our state move towards social, racial, and economic justice.

Along with volunteers from the RI Working Families Party and SEIU 1199, Reclaim RI members knocked doors in Brandon Potter’s district to take this message directly to voters. Representatives-elect Felix and Potter join Reclaim-endorsed Representative-elect David Morales, Senator-elect Meghan Kallman, and Senator Sam Bell in pledging to support a Justice Budget and oppose any budget proposal that slashes essential social spending in this economic and public health crisis. We congratulate our friends in WFP, Sunrise Providence, Providence DSA, and the RI Political Coop for big progressive wins statewide.

Though the elections are over, the work continues. With so many new, progressive faces in the General Assembly, the time is right to pass a Justice Budget that puts people first. Over the coming weeks, Reclaim members will be working hard alongside our coalition partners to push lawmakers to adopt a Justice Budget that makes significant changes to housing, economic, and criminal justice policy. With so many Rhode Islanders laid off, locked up, housing insecure, and suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, working people in our state can’t wait. Join us at reclaimri.org to find a district organizing committee near you and get involved today.

Reclaim Rhode Island also congratulates the Woonsocket Democrats, Alex Kithes, Charmaine Webster, Marlene Guay, and Vaughan Miller, on an inspiring and hard-fought campaign for Woonsocket City Council. The Woonsocket Democrats advanced a vision of a better city government that puts regular people first, invests in public education, repudiates racism, and takes action on the climate crisis. They faced a tough battle, challenging entrenched local interests and an at-large city council system that excludes working-class people of color. We look forward to continuing to support the Woonsocket Democrats and their fight for a better city.