The United Nurses and Allied Professionals, Rhode Island’s largest health care workers’ union, has endorsed Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos for re-election.
The union, which represents more than 5,500 nurses, technologists, therapists and other frontline health care workers in the state, pointed to the administration’s role in keeping two community hospitals open.
“We have endorsed Governor McKee for reelection because he helped stave off catastrophe in our health care system when he helped save Fatima Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center,” said UNAP President Lynn Blais. She said the governor helped push through $18 million in state backstop funds needed to secure a deal that prevented the closure of the hospitals, “saving thousands of jobs, protecting the livelihood of our members, and continuing access to thousands of Rhode Islanders who depend on these hospitals.”
Blais said the union endorsed Matos because she has been a consistent supporter of health care workers, joining them on picket lines, listening to members and using her voice to push for change in the state’s health care system. She added that members face daily challenges including staffing shortages, workplace violence and pressure from for-profit health systems, and said both incumbents understand what is at stake. “They have supported efforts to pass legislation that protects health care workers and strengthens our hospitals,” she said. “We trust them to continue that work.”
“Rhode Island’s nurses show up for us every single day, and I’m honored to have them in my corner,” McKee said. The governor framed the endorsement around health care access, saying he would “never stop fighting for Rhode Islanders’ healthcare — and for the nurses and caregivers who show up for our families every day,” citing his work to keep the two hospitals open, cap the cost of insulin and lower premiums.
The union said it plans to run a member-to-member get-out-the-vote effort, including direct mail, phone banking, door-to-door canvassing and early-voting outreach in support of the campaigns. The primary is scheduled for Sept. 9.
The endorsements come amid contested primaries for both offices. McKee faces a Democratic primary challenge that includes Helena Foulkes, whom he criticized by name in a statement accompanying the endorsement. Matos faces a crowded Democratic field that includes Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois, former state Sen. Cynthia Coyne and former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong.
