Candidates seeking the Rhode Island House District 9 seat attended the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) forum on Wednesday night, held via Zoom. Teacher and activist Enrique Sanchez is challenging incumbent Representative Anastasia Williams, who has held the seat for three decades, in the September 13 Democratic Primary. The winner will face Independent candidate Kevin Vines in the general election on November 8.

“Our community can be so effective when we work as a team together with neighbors, organizations like ours, city and state departments and elected officials working with some common goals and interests. But to do that, the candidates really ned to know where the community stands,” said WBNA Board President Rebecca Atwood.

WBNA Board Vice President Alozie Nwosu moderated the forum. This was one of two forums conducted by the WBNA, the other featured Senators Samuel Bell and Tiara Mack, and Senator Bell’s Democratic Primary challenger Providence City Councilmember David Salvatore.

Following the Uprise RI format, the question is written out as asked by the moderator, followed by video of each respondent’s answer.

Each candidate provided and opening statement:

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 1: Would you vote for Dominick Ruggerio (Democrat, District 4, Providence) as Senate President in the next term if he is re-elected next fall? Please explain why. [This question was wrongly presented to candidates for the House, who have no say in electing the Senate President.]

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 2: What are your thoughts on the proposed plan for the Superman Building and in general the need for more affordable housing in Rhode Island?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 3: With Roe v Wade overturned, how should Rhode Island further protect reproductive rights? Are you committed to supporting the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA) if you are [re]elected into office?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Question 4: We just witnessed severe flooding across Providence and in the face of climate change, what immediate steps should the state take to improve our infrastructure and increase our resilience in these matters?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Question 5: What are your thoughts on the state takeover of the Providence Public School District (PPSD)? What specific steps need to happen to improve the quality of our public schools?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 6: What is your position on the death with dignity legislation, allowing terminally ill individuals to voluntarily end their lives? Can you perceive this legislation becoming law in Rhode Island?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 7: Do you support the repeal of the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (LEOBoR)? How else should Rhode Island address mass incarceration and policing?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Question 8: Do you have any ideas or proposals for the future of Kennedy Plaza as a public space and a transit hub?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 9: Would you support a version of the Green New Deal in Rhode Island?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 10: If [re]elected, what would your number one legislative priority be, and why?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 11: Why does it seem that nothing gets done in politics and what do you plan to do to change this?

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Question 12: There is a public perception that state government in Rhode Island suffers from corruption and insider status among those who follow leadership. Can you comment on this and how do we change it?

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Question 13: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing your district and how, specifically, do you want to address them?

Enrique Sanchez:

Anastasia Williams:

Each candidate provided a closing statement:

Anastasia Williams:

Enrique Sanchez: