Rhode Island Rep. Lauren Carson, a Democrat, has announced she will run for re-election in 2026 to represent Newport in House District 75.
Carson was first elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 2014 and serves as a deputy majority leader. She said her work at the State House has focused on local infrastructure, environmental protection, tourism, aging policy, education initiatives and constituent services.
“Since 2014, my focus has always been on putting Newport first,” Carson said in a statement. “I’m proud of the partnerships we’ve built and the progress we’ve made together — from securing funding for Cliff Walk repairs and Fort Adams restoration to supporting our schools, protecting our harbor, and delivering resources for local organizations that make Newport such a special place to live.”
According to her campaign, Carson worked with local organizations and city leaders to secure funding for Cliff Walk repairs through the 2024 Green Bond and is seeking additional funding for Fort Adams restoration in the 2026 Green Bond. She also sponsored legislation creating state license plates that support the Newport Festivals Foundation and Rose Island and is working on a plate to honor Ida Lewis.
Carson said she has partnered with the Newport City Council on efforts to strengthen the city’s harbor management fund through cruise ship fees, preserve local control over those revenues and establish a two-tiered property tax system intended to lower taxes for year-round residents. She also said she worked with the Newport Tree & Open Space Commission to pass a tree-trimming law and secure funding for landscape improvements near the Pell Bridge.
On environmental policy, Carson recently sponsored legislation to bring recycling and composting programs to Rhode Island schools, with Pell Elementary among the early participants, according to her campaign. In 2021, she sponsored the Act on Climate, which created legally binding emissions reductions with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“Whether it’s advocating for Newport Hospital’s birthing center, protecting our shoreline and open spaces, or helping residents navigate state government, I take this responsibility seriously,” Carson said. “I remain committed to being accessible, responsive, and focused on the priorities that matter most to Newport residents.”
Carson earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Rhode Island in 2008 and a Master of Business degree from URI in 1992. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Ramapo College in 1976 and is a graduate of Benedictine Academy, both in New Jersey. She has lived in Newport for more than 30 years and is the mother of a son, Andrew.
Carson can be reached at 401-523-1143 or laurenhcarson@gmail.com. More information is available at www.laurencarson.com.
