NORTH PROVIDENCE SPECIAL ELECTION
Today, Tuesday, August 5, is the general election to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Ruggerio. The Democratic candidate, Famigleitti, is closely aligned with the Ruggerio establishment—a traditionally conservative group that has often stood in the way of progressive change at the State House. (Follow the lineage too- everyone getting into State seats of power in this town are all from the same family.)
Meanwhile, the GOP candidate is expected to be even less supportive of forward-thinking policies. Normally, this seat would be considered safe, but special elections held in August typically see very low voter turnout. This means every single vote carries extra weight. Whether you support one of the candidates—or feel compelled to write in your own choice—it’s crucial to show up and make your voice heard at the polls.
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Rhode Island is NOT a blue state, we are deeply purple which speaks to quiet and deliberate organizing for more conservative laws. We can not keep ignoring this but do something about it. ACT with us- knowledge is power!
1. Join us organizing at school committees across the state of Rhode Island against far right tactic that isolates some gender diverse students.
2. See where your elected officials stand on bodily freedom with our data driven tool.
3. Support us getting field organizers and programming around more people learning this information.
A transparent government is essential.
STATEWIDE JUDICIARY DECISION
A heads-up: our analysis suggests Governor McKee may use today’s busy political news cycle to submit his judicial nominees from the July 16, 2025, Judicial Nominating Commission—possibly including the ultra-conservative Michael McCaffrey. If not tomorrow, then shortly as the 21-day deadline is fast approaching.
On July 25th Governor McKee and the 49 other US Governors received a letter from the National Women’s Law Center, an organization we work with closely. They asked our leaders to prioritize increasing gender, racial, and professional diversity in our state’s judicial selection process. Governor McKee has a chance to go against insider deal-making candidates but send a message that represents his commitment to being a our leader for many more years to come. See the actions below that we can take today.
– – – – – – – – ACTION PLAN – – – – – – – – –
Call Gov. McKee’s Office
(let’s be real – you’ll be leaving a message, so it’s easy).
Sample Voicemail/Message (401- 222-2080):
“My name is ____. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am encouraging you to represent the state’s majority of voters. Of the finalists being sent from the Judicial Nominating Commission, I ask you to choose a candidate that represents all people and has a history of doing so in their work. (Former) Senator McCaffrey may have said he has ‘evolved’ from being against abortion access, against marriage equality, not in support of gun safety nor willing to change his support for the blurriness of church and state politics, but his legal history does not prove this.
I am urging you to vote for one of the other two finalists who received the same voting numeric outcome as he did, Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson. In addition, I stand with the National Women’s Law Center and their communication directly to the RI Governor and the 49 other Governors to prioritize increasing gender, racial, and professional diversity in our state’s judicial selection process on July 25th. Senator McCaffrey is not such, nor has a history of defending gender, racial or professional diversity through his extreme votes against marriage equality, separation of church and state, or abortion access. We trust him at his word that he will being doing that now.”
Send a quick email (so easy – just copy and paste).
Sample Email ([email protected]):
“My name is ____. I am a Rhode Island voter. I am encouraging you to represent the state’s majority of voters. Of the finalists being sent from the Judicial Nominating Commission, I ask you to choose a candidate that represents all people and has a history of doing so in their work.
(Former) Senator McCaffrey may have said he has ‘evolved’ from being against abortion access, against marriage equality, not in support of gun safety nor willing to change his support for the blurriness of church and state politics, but his legal history does not prove this.
I am urging you to vote for one of the other two finalists who received the same voting numeric outcome as he did, Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson.
In addition, I stand with the National Women’s Law Center and their communication directly to the RI Governor and the 49 other Governors to prioritize increasing gender, racial, and professional diversity in our state’s judicial selection process on July 25th. Senator McCaffrey is not such, nor has a history of defending gender, racial or professional diversity through his extreme votes against marriage equality, separation of church and state, or abortion access. We trust him at his word that he will being doing that now.”
Thank you.
Sincerely, Name”
Post on social media and tag Governor McKee.
Sample Post:
I’m urging @GovDanMcKee to live up to his commitment to represent all Rhode Islanders by voting for a judicial appointment that represents bodily autonomy and freedom. Join me in encouraging him to vote for candidates Maria Deaton or Robert Johnson for district court judge in Rhode Island #Repro4RI4All
