Newport City Councilor-at-Large Steph Smyth, who is running for re-election, is inviting residents to meet local and state candidates during a “Candidate Signature Events Tour of Newport,” a series of six gatherings at city parks in early July.
Candidates seeking elected office in Newport or at the state level are invited to participate. At each stop, registered Newport voters will have the opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions and, if they choose, sign candidates’ nomination papers. Candidates must collect the required number of signatures to ensure their names appear on the November ballot.
The events are scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at Equality Park from 6 to 8 p.m.; Sunday, July 5, at Morton Park from 3 to 5 p.m.; Monday, July 6, at Battery Park from 5 to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, July 7, at Miantonomi Park from 5 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday, July 8, at Braga Park from 4 to 6 p.m.; and Thursday, July 9, at King Park from 5 to 7 p.m. All events are weather-dependent.
The tour comes as a crowded field takes shape for the fall municipal elections, following the close of the candidate filing period on Wednesday. Nine candidates entered the race for at-large seats on the City Council, including Mayor Charles Holder, who is seeking re-election, and Smyth. Also in the at-large race are James Dring, who chairs the Newport School Committee; Elizabeth Cullen; Jane LeBoeuf; Kevin Michaud; Christine Hope Sullivan; Taryn Mazza; and Meagan Elizabeth Landry.
In the ward races, Ward 1 incumbent Ellen Pinnock faces a challenge from John Michael, and Ward 2 incumbent Lynn Underwood Ceglie faces Emily Conklin and John M. Walker. Ward 3 incumbent David R. Carlin III filed unopposed. Nine candidates filed for the School Committee: Amy Yozura, Penelope B. Hunt, Brian Rochelle, Elizabeth Barron, Carrie Cassady, Conner J. Hourihan, Nicole Shevory, Kendra Wilson Muenter and incumbent Robert J. Leary.
Candidates are asked to bring their nomination papers for registered Newport voters to sign. Candidates may pick up nomination papers beginning Tuesday, June 30, at 8:30 a.m. at the Newport Canvassing Office, 43 Broadway, and signed papers must be returned by July 10 at 4 p.m. The primary is Sept. 9, and the general election is Nov. 3.
Residents who are unsure whether they are registered to vote, or who would like to register, can visit vote.sos.ri.gov.
