Rep. Deborah Ruggiero announced today that she will seek re-election to the House of Representatives representing District 74, Jamestown and Middletown.

 “Our lives have been completely upended by coronavirus, COVID19. These past several months I’ve been working non-stop to help so many Middletown and Jamestown residents secure their unemployment benefits, helping small businesses secure PPP loans, and making sure everyone has access to the critical information needed during this unprecedented public health and economic crisis,” says Rep. Ruggiero in a statement.

In May, Rep. Ruggiero writes that she sent a mailing to all homes in District 74 detailing Resources available regarding COVID-19; it can be accessed at the website, debruggiero.com

“This is a difficult time for our state. We’re facing a huge deficit and we still haven’t seen the full effect of what shutting down our economy will have on our state and our communities to forecast revenues and expenditures. It won’t be easy, but we will find innovative ways to get through this together. I am committed to representing our communities.”

Rep. Ruggiero says in the announcement that she has been a champion for open, transparent government at the State House including a key rule change in the House of Representatives that requires a bill to be posted to the public for 24 hours before a vote can be taken.   

Rep. Ruggiero says she has also sponsored the Livable Home Modification Act that allows seniors to access funding to make their home more accessible to age in place. 

Her work with small businesses helped pass a law this year that reduces healthcare costs for families and those in the individual market through a reinsurance program, according to her statement.

“She negotiated a first-of-its-kind agreement for Middletown between the Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) for the town to access high-speed fiber optic services on West Main Road for better future broadband and high-speed internet service for residents and local businesses,” her announcement states.  

Additionally, Rep. Ruggiero says she worked closely with RI Department of Environmental Management, the Beavertail Lighthouse Association, Verizon and National Grid to bury the overhead powerlines ensuring stunning views at Beavertail for everyone to enjoy for generations.

First elected in 2008, Ruggiero has served on House Finance Committee, Health, Education and Welfare, Municipal Government, and chaired Small Business and the Small Business Renewable Energy Task Force where many of the state’s renewable energy laws for solar and wind were passed.      

“I’m honored to serve the people of Middletown and Jamestown.  I love framing the policies that provide a better community for our families, our children, and our businesses.”

Update: June 11th at 6 pm- Middletown Town Councilor Henry “Rick” Lombardi Jr. has announced his run for House District 74 – Jamestown, Middletown

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