Politics & Elections

Representative Ranglin-Vassell will not seek reelection in District 5, Providence

“I am proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish these 5+ years. I have inspired many who look like me and even those who do not look like me to run for office and to win. Some of those people are currently serving in the Rhode Island General Assembly. I have been relentless in my quest to elevate the issues of the poor and those living in poverty and the need to invest robustly in small businesses. I have spoken my own truth, sharing my story on what it means to invest in the poor and those living in poverty.”

Rhode Island News: Representative Ranglin-Vassell will not seek reelection in District 5, Providence

June 15, 2022, 2:33 pm

By Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell

I am leaving the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Through prayer, supplication and after careful consideration,reflection and consultation with my family, my pastor and neighbors, I have made a decision not to seek re-election. It has been both an honor and privilege to serve my neighbors in House District 5, Providence (Wanskuck, Elmhurst, Charles). Thank you for trusting me, believing in me and giving me the coveted opportunity to be your voice in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

As you can imagine this decision was hard but in the end I decided that taking care of my physical, mental and emotional self is paramount. Breaking down the structural barriers of inequalities have been physically and emotionally taxing. It is even more taxing being one of the strongest voices in the General Assembly. Although I will not have a seat in the General Assembly, rest assured that my work in dismantling systemic racism, structural poverty and gun violence continues. This has been my life’s work, that will not change.

When I started knocking on your doors in the summer of June 2016, my neighbors opened their doors and welcomed me. I told them that my reason for seeking elected office was because my own students that I taught had been shot and killed. I told them that once elected I would fight to pass good common sense gun safety laws, a $15 living wage and I would fight to dismantle the school to prison pipeline.

With the support of my neighbors, advocates, and colleagues we were able to get those priorities accomplished. In addition, I was able to pass the Doula bill which will not only save Black women’s lives but is an economic engine for disadvantaged women, particularly Black and brown women. I have successfully passed the Trauma Informed Schools Acts bill. This bill will ensure that school personnel understand the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences on their students and how those trauma impact teaching and learning. Once fully implemented, teachers and school personnel will possess a working knowledge of how to educate traumatized children. I will continue this important work.

In 5+ years, I have worked hard to ensure that my community benefits. Wanskuck Library now has new furniture, the DaVinci Center is the recipient of yearly funding to support the summer youth employment program, Veazie Street Elementary School has a full pantry so children and their families have food to take home. E-Cubed Academy (my school) now boasts a hygiene and clothing store and R.F. Kennedy School’s beautiful artwork of our students is protected with lasting plexi-glass.

I am proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish these 5+ years. I have inspired many who look like me and even those who do not look like me to run for office and to win. Some of those people are currently serving in the Rhode Island General Assembly. I have been relentless in my quest to elevate the issues of the poor and those living in poverty and the need to invest robustly in small businesses. I have spoken my own truth, sharing my story on what it means to invest in the poor and those living in poverty.

In conclusion, let me just say,thank you to everyone who has supported me, loved me and cared for me. To my husband and to my sons, my sisters and brothers, my entire family, my friends in the General Assembly and most of all to my neighbors who have placed their trust in me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The struggle is real, the fight continues. I will always be here, writing, taking care of myself and my family, and telling the stories and leading from the outside.