I don’t believe in attacking my opponent or conducting a negative campaign. I think my record speaks for itself.

As your State Representative of Rhode Island, I have championed families, children, seniors, and veterans. This includes expanding access to quality and affordable child care and stabilizing early childhood education. We have helped win Medicaid investments in programs for seniors, children, and people with disabilities. We have helped stabilize the health care workforce by increasing wages for front-line caregivers. Rhode Island’s vehicle tax has been completely eliminated forever, as promised. The burdensome property tax on most small businesses in Westerly has been eliminated. We have reduced the state income tax on the retirement income of many seniors. We have also protected the environment, and I chair a committee to combat beach erosion. We have increased state funding for Westerly Hospital, Westerly Public Schools, and Westerly Library. I have championed issues as Chair of the Pension Board. I introduced and passed the Blue Envelope Bill, which is already in effect in our neighboring states. I have introduced a bill that would require the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles in Westerly to be open one day a week by law. The DMV is in the process of establishing a mobile unit that will serve Westerly and other Rhode Island communities as needed.

I am proud to have served our country and to represent and work on behalf of our veterans to ensure they receive the benefits they deserve.

I have lived in Westerly for all but 2 1/2 years. My family lives here, including my five children, eleven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

I work hard to keep the residents of Westerly and Rhode Island safe. We are a safe place to live with a state-of-the-art police department, volunteer county fire departments and volunteer ambulance service. We have many good schools, a new college center, a beautiful park and library, and a Rhode Island shoreline to be proud of.

There is always more to do and I humbly ask for your vote in the primary election on Tuesday, September 10th.

Samuel Azzinaro

West

The author is a state representative for District 37 (Westerly) and is running for re-election.