Mayor Jeff Mutter and Cumberland Democrats Endorse Sandra Cano for Congress
CUMBERLAND, RI – The Cumberland Democratic Committee met this past weekend to hear from candidates from Congressional District One and to vote on who they would endorse. The vote was decisive with Sandra Cano receiving an overwhelming majority of the votes of the members. She also picked up the endorsement of several local officials including Mayor Jeff Mutter.
“It was important to me as chair to make sure there was a clear and transparent process and that all the candidates were able to make their case to our members. After the committee voted, it was clear that Sandra had strong support from the members of our committee which was evident in the overwhelming results of our endorsement,” said Town Committee Chairman and Former Town Councilman Thomas Kane.
Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter said of his endorsement: “I trust Sandra to remain fully rooted in the community and to not only represent us with integrity in Congress, but to operate within the framework of a true local-federal partnership. She’s served in local government, has been a municipal employee, and she understands the potential of local partnership with Congress. One thing we can count on with Sandra is that she won’t turn her back on us.”
Councilman Bob Shaw said: “As a community member, local government employee and mother, Sandra values our public open spaces and knows how critical it is to maintain funding for recreation programs. I want to see someone in Congress that’s connected to the community at the local level and understands how collaboration across levels of government can be built to support everyday Rhode Islanders. Sandra is conscientious about protecting our environment and is a great advocate for community focus in environmental work. I know she’ll represent us wonderfully in Congress.”
Councilwoman Lisa Beaulieu said: “There is no stronger advocate for students and schools than Sandra Cano. From starting her public service career on school committee to now serving as the Chair of the Senate Education Committee for the State of Rhode Island, she’s consistently prioritized Rhode Island students throughout her time as a legislator. We need a real champion in Congress who will advocate for federal investments in education to ensure that resources and outcomes are more equitable for all students. Sandra is that champion and I’m excited to support her campaign for Congress!”
School Committee Member Mark Fiorillo said: “When I first met Sandra years ago, I was struck by her intelligence, her knowledge of schools and education issues, her commitment to community, and her deep care for people. She stands up for lower income, multilingual, undocumented, and LGBTQ+ students and their families with a real focus on equity across all that she does. I support her because it’s time for us to send someone to Congress who has the professional and life experience to bring a compassionate, thoughtful equity-based approach to legislating and getting results for Rhode Islanders in Washington.”
Former Councilwoman Stephanie Gemski said: “Sandra understands the importance of supporting small businesses and local economies. She’s dedicated a lot of time and effort to economic revitalization throughout the Blackstone Valley, and we’ve really benefited from that work here in Cumberland. I know that Sandra will bring to Congress her depth of experience with our local economies and small business climate, and she’ll bring back real results for Rhode Islanders. That’s why I’m excited to support Sandra for Congress!”
Former Council President Jim Higgins said: “Across the country and even here at home, LGBTQ+ Americans have been systematically under attack. It’s vital that we send someone to Congress who understands what it means to be of a marginalized community and who will stand strong for rights, protections and equality. Sandra has a demonstrated track record of championing all marginalized voices at the local and state levels, and I know she’ll do the same in Congress. She knows that passing the Equality Act is an essential first step, and that equity and inclusion must be taken into consideration in all legislation.”
Sandra Cano said of these endorsements, “As the saying goes, all politics is local. I am so honored to have received support from so many local leaders across the state. I am so thankful to Mayor Mutter, the Cumberland Democratic Town Committee, and all the leaders who have endorsed my campaign and I look forward to working with them in this final scratch of the election.”
These Cumberland leaders join Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson, who announced his endorsement last week, and the growing list of more than fifty local leaders who have endorsed Sandra Cano for Congress. These leaders have committed to working with Sandra in their communities to get out the vote for her in the Democratic Primary. This includes knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending emails and texts, and hosting events.
Cano has also received two major Rhode Island union endorsements including United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) and National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI). UNAP and NEARI will communicate with their members about the importance of electing Sandra Cano to Congress.
Cano has also received the endorsement of the Jamestown Democratic Town Committee and was named a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate.
Previously announced endorsements from local leaders include:
Mayors: Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien, North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi, Former Cumberland Mayor Bill Murray, Former Pawtucket Mayor Robert Metivier;
State Senators: Samuel Bell (SD5 Providence), Louis DiPalma (SD12 Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Dawn Euer (SD13 Newport, Jamestown), Valerie Lawson (SD14 East Providence), Majority Leader Ryan Pearson (SD19 Cumberland, Lincoln), Meghan Kallman (SD15 Pawtucket, Providence), Robert Britto (SD18 East Providence, Pawtucket), Melissa Murray (SD24 Woonsocket, North Smithfield), Mark McKenney (SD30 Warwick), Pamela Lauria (SD32 Barrington, East Providence, Bristol), and Alana DiMario (SD36 Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham); and Former State Senator Jim Seveney (SD11 Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton);
State Representatives: Rebecca Kislak (HD4 East Side of Providence), Joshua Giraldo (HD56 Central Falls), and Karen Alzate (HD60 Pawtucket, Central Falls );
Municipal Leaders: Pawtucket City Council President Terrence Mercer, Pawtucket City Council At-Large Members Michael Araujo, Roberto Moreno and Yesenia Rubio; Pawtucket City Council Members Mark Wildenhain, Neicy Coderre, and Marlena Martins Stachowiak; the entire Pawtucket School Committee (members James Chellel Jr., Chair, Kimberly Grant, Deputy Chair, Joanne Bonollo, Jennifer Carney, Gerard Charbonneau, Erin Dube, and Marsha Fernandes); as well as Central Falls Officials Robert Ferri (City Council President), Tatiana Baena (City Council At Large), and Hugo Figueroa (School Board Member and former City Councilor); North Providence Councilors Dino Autiello (Town Council President), Steven Loporchio, Ronald R. Baccala, Jr, and Ken Amoriggi; Bristol Town Council Member Timothy Sweeney; and Portsmouth School Committee Vice Chair Juan Carlos Payero.
Sandra Cano has been serving Rhode Islanders for over a decade. She is the only candidate in this race with legislative experience at every level of government in Rhode Island. On the Pawtucket School Committee, she worked to defend the public education system that welcomed her as a teenager in this country. As a Pawtucket City Councilwoman, Sandra saw how city government directly affects residents, and she worked to shape policies that had a positive impact on their daily lives. Now in the State Senate, Sandra proudly gives voice to the diverse communities of District 8. Sandra is chair of the Senate Education Committee – the first Latina to hold the position. She serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Permanent Joint Legislative Commission on Child Care. If elected, Sandra will be the first Colombian American woman to serve in Congress.
