Both candidates agree that there are so many issues that need attention.
Both Democratic candidates for the District 71 House of Representatives seat say they have the experience the job requires, but just one will be chosen in the Sept. 8 primary to make it on the November ballot.
John Edwards V of Tiverton and Michelle McGaw of Portsmouth, both of whom are looking to fill the seat left vacant by Dennis Canario, have brought their campaigns to the front doors of District 71 residents in south Tiverton, middle Portsmouth and Little Compton.
Residents might not immediately recognize them because, like everyone adhering to the rules to stop the spread of COVID-19, they wear masks when they ring bells and step back when the door is opened to keep their distance.
They’ve both sent mailings, highlighting support from state and local leaders.
The candidate that emerges from the Democratic primary will face challengers Amy Veri, a Republican from Little Compton, and independent Nathan Melvin of Tiverton.
Among others, McGaw has the support of the Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton chairpersons of the Democratic town committees.
Among others, Edwards, whose father John “Jay” Edwards represents District 70, has the support of Canario, who decided not to run for reelection.
Canario is quoted in a mailing saying that Edwards has experience on the Tiverton Town Council “and the financial background to enable him to do a terrific job for the district. He will fight for the same moderate Democratic values that I have: keeping more money in your pockets, assisting businesses, supporting schools and maintaining the safe quality of life we all enjoy here.”
McGaw doesn’t believe the district was well represented by Canario, who was “100 percent behind the speaker,” she said of the House leadership. “I’m not going to do what I am told,” McGaw said, but rather will do what the people of the district want her to do.
“I think I trusted my elected officials had my best interests in mind. I started really noticing maybe that wasn’t the case,” said McGaw when asked what prompted her to get involved in politics. She added that she could “put my head in the sand and block all this out or get to work. I could help to create change.”
“I have no ties to the political insiders. I am going up there to work for the people of the district,” she said.
McGaw said she is no stranger to the State House. She’s routinely testified and sees a need to tweak the rules to make the process more transparent, efficient and equitable. House rules need to be made “more responsive” so bills “aren’t tied up by a handful of people.”
With a background in finance, Edwards, who has a young family, said he would represent the interests of the young working families who do not now have a voice in the legislature. He said people are concerned about the budget and how it will affect them.
“There’s a lot of concern. How does the state get out of this budget hole without increasing taxes? It’s all about finding ancillary revenue,” he said of the need for the state to use tax incentives to get companies and the jobs they offer to move to Rhode Island. The East Bay, he said, has “tremendous opportunity” to capitalize on that because of the available land.
McGaw, a pharmacist who consults with nursing homes, said her top three priorities would be health care, the environment and legislative reform.
Edwards said the state budget and the economy, more predictable education aid and protecting workers in the state are his top priorities.
Both candidates agree that there are so many issues that need attention.
Edwards said he would advocate for more affordable housing in the state. He said the loophole that allows developers who are building out properties to write a check instead of building the required affordable housing units needs to be changed.
McGaw said a more equitable tax structure has to be developed so the top 1 percent — those earning more than $476,000 — pay more than 5.9 percent in taxes, while middle class families are paying 10 to 12 percent.