Newport Leaders Endorse Sandra Cano for Congress
PROVIDENCE, RI – Current and Former Newport Leaders including School Committee Members Stephanie Winslow and Kendra Meunter, former School Committee Member Aida Neary, and Former Mayor and City Councilwoman Jamie Bova today announced their support and endorsement of Sandra Cano in the race for Congressional District One. These Newport leaders join the ever-growing diverse coalition that has now reached nearly seventy leaders and organizations that have endorsed Sandra Cano for Congress.
Of her endorsement Newport School Committee Member Stephanie Winslow said, “Sandra’s lived experiences would be an invaluable addition to the U.S. Congress. She radiates energy, compassion, and a genuine desire to contribute to our country’s success. Thanks to her decade of service in local and state office, Sandra has honed exceptional skills in governance and legislation while remaining deeply rooted in her community and committed to serving her constituents. Across the country, public schools are under attack. Sandra has tremendous faith in education, and has demonstrated that she will always put students first. She will be a fierce defender against culture wars and book bans – and she will champion the right to an education that prioritizes critical thinking, tolerance, and truth.”
Of her endorsement Newport School Committee Member Kendra Meunter said, “Sandra’s energy and drive to help people drew me in right from the start. Everything Sandra has done has been for the betterment of the people of Rhode Island. Sandra inspires great confidence that she will represent us faithfully in Congress, with the same drive and determination she has brought to her work throughout the previous decade. She is dedicated to work for all Rhode Islanders – not for herself, not for lobbyists, and not for special interest groups. I like that she is not a Washington insider: she and her team are rooted in and completely dedicated to our home state. Like many voters, I’m ready for a change – and I am ready for a highly qualified, accomplished, smart woman to represent the first congressional district.”
Of her endorsement Former School Committee Member Aida Neary said, “I am team Sandra because from the beginning of her political career she has always focused on the most vulnerable citizens among us: children. For more than a decade, she has consistently focused her work on those who are most vulnerable and those without voices or seats at the table. Sandra has proven herself to be a champion for the people of her district, with real compassion and a meaningful focus on equity and justice.I am confident that she will be a great champion for us in Congress.”
Former Mayor and City Councilwoman Jamie Bova said, “I support Sandra because she has the experience, intelligence, and work ethic needed to accomplish what needs to be done in Washington. Sandra knows the challenges of working families and understands the support that Rhode Islanders need to be successful. I joined Team Sandra because I have seen her in action, and never once has she wavered in her dedication and commitment to our residents. She has what it takes to be successful for Rhode Island and will do the work that needs to be done. I look forward to seeing Sandra as our next Congressperson.”
Sandra Cano said of these endorsements, “I am so honored to earn the support of these amazing women leaders from the great City of Newport. They are so committed to their community and to the education of our young people. It is incredible to continue building momentum across the district as we head to next week’s primary election.”
These Newport leaders join the movement of nearly seventy leaders and organizations that have endorsed Sandra Cano for Congress and are working in their communities to get out the vote for Sandra in the Democratic Primary. This includes knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending emails and texts, and hosting events.
Cano has received three major Rhode Island union endorsements, including both teachers unions: Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Healthcare Professionals (RIFTHP) and National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI); as well as the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP).
Cano has also received the endorsement of the Cumberland Democratic Town Committee, Jamestown Democratic Town Committee, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee, and was named a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate.
Endorsements from local leaders include:
Mayors: Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter, Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien, North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi, former Cumberland Mayor Bill Murray, and former Pawtucket Mayor Robert Metivier;
State Senators: State Senator Samuel Zurier (SD3 East Side of Providence), Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (SD4 North Providence, Providence), 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), Alana DiMario (SD36 Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham), Former East Side State Senator and Women’s Rights Advocate Gayle Goldin (SD3 East Side of Providence), and former State Senator Jim Seveney (SD11 Portsmouth, Bristol, Tiverton);
State Representatives: Edith Ajello (HD1 Providence), Rebecca Kislak (HD4 East Side of Providence), Joshua Giraldo (HD56 Central Falls), Karen Alzate (HD60 Pawtucket, Central Falls ), House Majority Floor Manager John “Jay” Edwards (HD70 Tiverton), and former State Representative and Gun Safety Advocate Linda Finn (HD72 Portsmouth, Middletown);
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 Juan Carlos Payero (Vice Chair); Cumberland Town Council Members Lisa Beaulieu and Bob Shaw; Cumberland School Committee Member Mark Fiorillo; former Cumberland Town Councilors Jim Higgins, Stephanie Gemski, and Thomas Kane; Jamestown School Committee Members Kristine Lapierre (Chair) and Agnes Filkins (Clerk); Warren Town Council President John Hanley; Barrington Town Council member Braxton Howard Cloutier.
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.
