Today, Representative Terri-Denise Cortvriend announced her intention to run for re-election representing District 72 serving Middletown and Portsmouth. 

More From Her Announcement

“I could have never predicted that I would spend the second half of my first term dealing with the many complex challenges brought on by a global pandemic.  Covid 19 has put unprecedented stress on our healthcare system, our economy, and on all our lives.  While the pandemic put the brakes on the typical legislative session the situation has given me the opportunity to help many constituents on a one on one basis.  Whether it has been helping with unemployment or delayed services with state agencies it has been gratifying to be able to address and resolve issues brought to my attention on an individual basis.”

Since the pandemic Cortvriend has hosted online meetings with Small Businesses, Non-profits organizations, and retail establishments.  A small business owner herself Cortvriend says she is committed to helping other small businesses navigate their way through this difficult period.  Cortvriend serves on the House Committee for Small Business. 

Cortvriend was a founder of the Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus and has sponsored legislation to ban PFAS in food packing, to establish standards for PFAS in our drinking water, to bring climate literacy to K-12 education, and to protect Rhode Islander’s constitutional right to access to the shoreline. 

Cortvriend was a member of the Reform Caucus that advocated for good government reforms in the House Rules and whose efforts led bills to be posted for the public 24 hours in advance of a vote and ended the practice of suspending the rules at the end of session.  

Cortvriend was ranked by RI Ranks as the legislator in the RI General Assembly having had the most publicly advertised constituent meetings referred to as “Talks with Terri”.

Cortvriend also sponsored legislation protecting the rights of parents with disabilities, The Nathan Bruno/Jason Flatt Act which would require that both teachers and school staff receive suicide awareness and prevention training and was a co-sponsor of the Student Loan Bill of Rights which was signed into law in 2019. 

Cortvriend is a long-term Rhode Islander, mother of Savanna Cortvriend graduate of Portsmouth public schools. The Founder and CEO of Ocean Link, Inc. (a marine trade business in Melville), Cortvriend has been a small business owner and employer for over 30 years. Terri served nine years on the Portsmouth School Committee 4 years as chair. Terri has also served as a Board Member of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, and as Vice Chair (formerly Chair) of the Portsmouth Tank Farm Redevelopment Advisory Committee. She serves on the Restoration Advisory Board for Naval Station Newport, and on the IYRS Marine System Program Advisory Committee. She served two terms on the Portsmouth Water and Fire District Advisory Board. Cortvriend served on the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee, and on the Portsmouth Charter Review Committee. Cortvriend is proud to be a long-standing member of the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee. 

The 2020 election season is officially underway, as candidates for local, statewide, and legislative seats begin to file their declarations of candidacy this week.

Those wishing to run for General Assembly or local offices must file with the local board of canvassers in the town in which they are registered to vote between June 22 and June 24.

Those declaring to run for U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives must file with the Department of State’s Elections Division, 148 West River St., Providence.

Party endorsements are due by June 26 for U.S. Senate and U.S. House, and June 25 for all local and General Assembly races.

The next major step for candidate is picking up nomination papers from local canvassers on June 30 and returning them with the required number of signatures by July 10.

For local offices, the number of signatures is set by the Canvassing Authorities and may vary by community.

For General Assembly seats, Senatorial candidates must collect 100 signatures, House of Representative candidates, 50. For U.S. Senate the minimum is 1,000 and U.S. Representatives, 500.

The deadline for individuals to withdraw their candidacies is July 13, otherwise their name appears on the ballot, even if they decide not to run.

All this leads to the primary election on Sept. 8, and the general election on Nov. 3. The deadline to register to vote for the primary is August 9, for the general election, Oct. 4.

Follow our 2020 Election Coverage here and here – Who’s running for office in Newport County? List of local and state candidates is here