Rhode Island Working Families has endorsed four more Democratic General Assembly candidates ahead of the state’s September 13 primary.
While Working Families, a newish progressive group that has vowed to be a force in legislative races, has generally supported challengers or liberals running for open seats, one of the group’s latest endorsements goes to state Rep. Eileen Naughton (D-Warwick), a 24-year incumbent in a three-way Democratic primary with Warwick City Councilor Camille Vella Wilkinson and David Kruzona.
“In her tenure in the House, Rep. Naughton has focused on human services and public health, especially for the most vulnerable individuals,” RI Working Families said in a statement. “She has won expanded screening, treatment and coverage for a variety of illnesses. She is also a leader in the effort to reduce lead in the local drinking water supply.
In the seat being vacated by state Rep. John Carnevale, after he was found to not be a legal voter in Providence, RI Working Families endorsed Lisa Scorpio.
Scorpio is part of a a three-way Democratic primary field, with Ramon Perez and Anthony DeFilippo. “Lisa has been active in her community for years, especially around policing,” the group said. “She has been a leader in the effort to increase the diversity of the Providence Police Department’s leadership as well as promote community oversight.
RI Working Families endorsed Marcia Ranglin-Vassell in her challenge to House Majority Leader John DeSimone (D-Providence), touting her as a teacher who has organized against high-stakes testing and made it easier for ex-offenders to find work. RIWF said Ranglin-Vassell is a strong supporter of a $15 minimum wage.
The last in the latest Working Families endorsements goes to Moira Walsh, who is running against Rep. Thomas Palangio (D-Providence). “Moira is a champion for working people,” the group said. “She works as a server and was leader in the campaign to increase the tipped minimum wage in Rhode Island. She will be a tenacious advocate for low-income communities and for the basic worker standards that all Rhode Islanders deserve.”
RI Working Families earlier primary endorsements went to state Reps. Teresa Tanzi and Kathy Fogarty, both of South Kingstown; Susan Donovan for an open seat in Bristol; Jason Knight, who is challenging Rep. Jan Malik (D-Warren); Jeanine Calkin, who is opposing Sen. William Walaska (D-Warwick); and Dennis Lavallee, one of four Democrats vying for the seat being vacated by Sen. Edward O’Neill (R-Lincoln).
