Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien and Fourteen Local Elected Officials Endorse Sandra Cano for Congress
Pawtucket, RI – Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien announced today his support and endorsement of Sandra Cano in the race for Congressional District One. He was joined by Pawtucket City Council President Terrence Mercer (3rd district), Council Members Michael A. Araujo (At Large), Roberto H. Moreno (At Large), Yesenia Rubio (At Large), Mark J. Wildenhain (2nd district), Neicy Coderre (4th district), and Marlena Martins Stachowiak (6th district), as well as the entire Pawtucket School Committee: James T. Chellel Jr. (Chairman), Kimberly Grant (Deputy Chairwoman), Joanne Bonollo, Jennifer Carney, Gerard Charbonneau, Erin Dube, and Marsha Fernandes.
Of his endorsement, Mayor Grebien said, “Sandra Cano has done the work of making our city a better place. Over a decade ago, she wanted to give back to a public school system that had allowed her to succeed. As a School Committee member, Sandra led the charge to improve the quality of life in our city. She served so admirably on the School Committee and City Council, allowing our common vision to succeed. As a State Senator, her efforts to help Pawtucket and our state continue unabated. As the Chair of the Senate Education Committee and member of the Senate Finance Committee and Joint Commission on Child Care, Sandra’s success in bringing people together helps Rhode Island prosper. Sandra understands the problems confronting our residents every day. As a mother, former credit union banker, and now as Commerce Director for the City of Pawtucket, she knows, firsthand, what it takes to help people.
“Sandra has NEVER lost a race. Over the years she has earned our votes with action. Her passion and life experiences are what we need in Congress. It is my absolute pleasure today to endorse my dear friend and colleague – Sandra Cano – to be our next Congressperson from the 1st Congressional District. She will continue to make our city better, she will continue to make our state better, and she will make our country better.”
Sandra Cano expressed her appreciation for the outpouring of unified support from the Pawtucket community, saying, “I always knew I wanted to give back to my community through public service. From School Committee, to City Council, to the State Senate, it has been the honor of my life to serve this community and our state. I am ready to take this commitment to public service to Congress. It is so heartwarming that my friends and colleagues in Pawtucket are coming out in force to support my campaign. Mayor Grebien’s support means a lot because he’s been by my side as a friend, confidant and advisor ever since my first campaign for School Committee. I am running for Congress to be an advocate for the people – for our community and for hardworking Rhode Islanders. I am running for our children, for our future, for the fabric of our democracy. And, I am running to say thank you to this country and this Pawtucket community that welcomed my family with open arms.”
Mayor Don Grebien, members of the Pawtucket City Council, and the Pawtucket School Committee join a growing list of elected leaders who are supporting Sandra Cano, including, Senators Dawn Euer (SD13 Newport, Jamestown), Pamela Lauria (SD32 Barrington, East Providence, Bristol), and Alana DiMario (SD36 Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham); State Representatives Rebecca Kislak (HD 4 East Side of Providence), Joshua Giraldo (HD56 Central Falls), and Karen Alzate (HD60 Pawtucket & Central Falls); 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).
Sandra Cano has been serving Rhode Islanders for the decade. 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.
