I know a few things about being a Newporter. It’s not about if you were born in the Newport Hospital, what your last name is or whether you are a full or parttime resident. Being a true Newporter means loving the Newport community, generously giving your time, working hard, and taking immense pride in calling Newport home.
Over the past two years, I’ve seen our Mayor truly embody what it means to be a Newporter. He has tirelessly fought to champion our City, utilizing innovative methods that are both proven and effective. He’s brought Newporters into state and national conversations, securing tens of millions in state and federal funds. He’s working to staff City Hall to function as it should for our growing population, prioritized fixing our failing infrastructure, re-focused efforts on student success, and restored a sense of professionalism to our City leadership.
Leadership is about grit and hard work, whether in front of a computer, a committee, a crowd, or a camera. It’s about making our community a better place for everyone—not just a select few. It’s not about avoiding difficult projects out of fear of re-election; it’s about tackling tough issues and relentlessly working through them.
In my lifetime, I’ve never seen Newport with a leader like Xay and I believe we are fortunate to have him during such a pivotal time, with the majority of our council working hard together. Newport is facing challenges that aren’t decades away—they’re here now. I want Xay putting his municipality and professional experiences to work ensuring what I love most about Newport remains for my family and for everyone else who feels as I do.
Once again, I’m voting for Xay for City Council At-Large, and I hope that vote leads to another two years of Mayor Xay. When you have a proven racehorse, you let it run.
Dan Benson, Newport
