LEADERSHIP THAT WILL PUT THE PEOPLE OF RHODE ISLAND FIRST

THE PLAN

The voice of the people is being drowned out at the State House. The twenty-five Co-op candidates are going to win a governing majority, vote out the corrupt leadership, and restore power to the people—all in a single election cycle.

VOLUNTEER

THE PLATFORM

Our candidates will fight for a $15 minimum wage, the Green New Deal, single-payer healthcare, criminal justice reform, affordable housing, quality public education, immigrant rights, and getting money out of politics.

SEE OUR PLATFORM

THE PLEDGE

All of our candidates pledge not to take any contributions from corporate PACS, corporate lobbyists, or the fossil fuel industry. We rely entirely on grassroots donations. Will you contribute to a candidate today?

DONATE

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Tiara Mack

SD-6 (Providence)
“As an advocate and member of marginalized groups, I have experienced how our political system doesn’t work for us. I will fight for economic, health, environment, and housing justice for all.”

Cynthia Mendes

SD-18 (East Providence)
“During my time as a healthcare professional, I saw the stress and anxiety of worried mothers who can’t afford the care their children need. I will make sure that families get the healthcare they deserve.”

Maggie Kain

SD-37 (South Kingston, New Shoreham)
“As a political activist, I see how fundamental change will continue to be prevented by the dysfunction in state government. I will work to ensure that the needs and priorities of working people in Rhode Island are championed.”

Michelle McGaw

HD-71 (Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton)
“As an advocate fighting for women’s health and protecting our environment, I have seen the barriers to progress and how the voices of voters are suppressed. I will proactively protect our communities and our families.”

Jennifer Rourke

SD-29 (Warwick)
“Having grown up poor, I am fighting for those who have to decide whether to buy food or medicine, for our veterans who are often forgotten, for our children who deserve a better environment and schools. I am fighting to change not just the script but those that are writing it.”

Megan Cotter

HD-39 (Richmond, Exeter, Hopkinton)
“I am running for office to be a voice for working families like my own. I’m tired of an unfair system that only benefits the wealthy. I will fight for breathable air, a humane healthcare system, and a fair economy for my children and all the children of Rhode Island.”

Kendra Anderson

SD-31 (Warwick)
“As a single mom, environmental activist, and teacher, I’ve worked hard so that others can live healthy lives and prosper. I’m running for State Senate because the rich and well connected have taken over, leaving the majority of us behind. I’m committed to green job growth with a livable wage, strong schools where students have the means to thrive, and clean water and air for all.”

Melanie DuPont

SD-22 (Smithfield, Johnston, North Providence)
“As a professional communicator, I see the pain that poor communication causes. I will use my skills to speed the transfer of accurate information, so we legislate with insight, compassion, and efficiency.”

Jennifer Douglas

SD-34 (Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich)
“As a single parent I understand how difficult it is to support a family amid the rising costs of living. I will fight for a living wage, comprehensive health care coverage, and affordable higher education and trade schools so parents can worry about raising their kids, not rising debts.”

Miguel Torres

HD-38 (Westerly, Hopkinton)
“I’m running for office because I want to make real change for Rhode Island. I grew up learning to love the natural beauty of our state’s coasts, of its wildlife, and the loving communities of people that live here. I believe that as a young person, it is my moral obligation to preserve the natural beauty of our state and secure a livable future for generations to come after me.”

Lenny Cioe

SD-6 (Providence)
“As a nurse, I have witnessed our healthcare system abandon the most vulnerable while we give tax breaks to the rich. I promise to fight for better healthcare, stronger schools, and an economy that works for everybody.”

Jeanine Calkin

SD-30 (Warwick)
“Growing up in a middle-class working family, I know what it’s like to sometimes struggle to make ends meet. I will work hard to fight for living wages, and against income inequality and corporate welfare.”

Nicholas Delmenico

HD-27 (West Warwick)
As a native Rhode Islander who has witnessed many political scandals, I have seen how the Speaker of the House runs the government through fear and intimidation, not respect and collaboration. I will work with others in the House to take back our power and demand a government that actually works for all of us.”

Jonathon Acosta

SD-16 (Central Falls, Pawtucket)
“In today’s world, freedom means the ability to pursue self actualization. That means all people should have their basic medical, educational, housing and employment needs met in order to live out their ideal lives. We need a state government that prioritizes people over corporations and protects us from weak gun policies, rising utility costs, structural discrimination, career politicians, and private interests.”

Zach Colón

Warwick City Council Ward 9
“As a lifelong resident of the city and a graduate of the Warwick public school system, I’ve seen the challenges facing our city and our schools. I’m running for Warwick City Council in Ward 9 to demand educational, economic, social, and environmental justice, and to fight against political corruption in our city.”

Jessica Vega

Central Falls City Council Ward 5
“My vision is to give my community the tools they need to thrive. Never imposing my will; instead working collectively to solve issues facing OUR city.”

Adamaris Villar

Central Falls City Council Ward 1
“As a long-time Central Falls resident and one who understands the struggles families go through, my goal is to ensure that our residents have the resources they need. I aim to be an aid in the community to help bridge the gaps that hold our working families back.”

Moira Walsh

HD-3 (Providence)
“I’m running for re-election because I know that in order to impact my neighbors’ lives, we need to do more than craft equitable laws. We must also build a just system that fosters and encourages a fair shot for all Rhode Islanders.”

Alex Kithes

Woonsocket City Council
“We need champions in government who will fight for a higher quality of life for the working class, a transparent and accountable city government, clean air and water, and true justice for all. We’ll reemerge from this difficult moment in history together, and stronger than ever.”

Charmaine Webster

Woonsocket City Council
“I am running for city council of Woonsocket out of pure love for our city and to be the voice of the politically muted. Through representation, my voice and the voices of other like-minded people will unapologetically demand systems and policies that address the needs of our community and its diverse population.”

Marlene Guay

Woonsocket City Council
“I am running for office because I believe that the residents of Woonsocket feel unheard and disenfranchised from the political process. I hope to return public service back to politics, empower the residents to feel heard, empowered and valued, and to make sure that government transparency is front and center.”

Vaughan Miller

Woonsocket City Council
“I love my adopted home of Woonsocket. I passionately believe we need to mitigate climate change, hold police accountable for abuses of power, and demand integrity from public officials. I promise to do everything in my power to bring prosperity and dignity back to Woonsocket.”

Brandon Potter

HD-16 (Cranston)
“I’m running because we need a government that’s accountable to people, not special interests and big corporations. I’ve seen the result of our healthcare system that treats people like business. It’s time we build a Rhode Island that works for everyone, not just the top 1%.”

Brianna Henries

HD-64 (East Providence)
“I believe that ‘we the people’ should actually mean just that. Our voices shouldn’t be muted by corruption and the wealthy few. I’ll be the champion of the sick and tired, and I will fight for quality education, livable wages and equity for all—not just for our future, but for right now!”
SEE ALL THE CANDIDATES

GET INVOLVED

The Co-op candidates cannot win without you. Every phone call, every door knock, every conversation with a neighbor brings us closer to a State House that listens. Sign up to volunteer for a campaign near you and help us build a people-powered movement from the ground up. Our organizers will train you, give you a script, and pair you with an experienced volunteer on your first shift.

There is a role for everyone, no matter how much time you have. You can join a virtual phone bank from your living room, walk your own block with a clipboard, or host a small house party to introduce your friends to a candidate. Many campaigns also need help with data entry, social media, and childcare for volunteers on the go. No experience is required—just a willingness to talk to your neighbors about the change we need.

  • Knock ten doors in your precinct this weekend.
  • Text five friends the candidate’s website and a personal note about why you support them.
  • Donate the cost of a cup of coffee to a campaign in a competitive district.

THE ROAD TO A MAJORITY

Winning twenty-five seats in one election cycle is ambitious, but it is not impossible. The Co-op has identified districts where voter turnout has been low, where working families are ready for change, and where a dedicated grassroots campaign can flip a seat. Our candidates are not waiting for permission—they are already knocking on doors, registering new voters, and holding street-corner town halls in neighborhoods that have been ignored for decades.

We are building a coalition that includes renters, union members, students, immigrants, and small business owners who are tired of corporate giveaways. By uniting behind a shared platform, we avoid the infighting that has paralyzed progressive efforts in the past. Each candidate runs on the same core promises, so voters know exactly what a Co-op majority will deliver: a $15 minimum wage, a Green New Deal, single-payer healthcare, and an end to money-driven politics.

After the primary, all our candidates support the winner of the Co-op nomination. No spoiler campaigns, no ego, no backroom deals. This discipline is how a minority of committed organizers can beat entrenched incumbents and take control of the House for the people of Rhode Island.

ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Money in politics is the root of every broken system in Rhode Island. Our candidates refuse all corporate PAC donations, corporate lobbyist contributions, and fossil fuel money. We rely entirely on small-dollar grassroots donations, and we publish every contribution above $200 within forty-eight hours. No dark money, no Super PACs, no hidden donors.

Transparency does not end with fundraising. Each Co-op candidate signs a written pledge to hold public town halls every month, to make their full voting record available online and explain every vote in plain language, and to refuse any appointment, gift, or revolving-door job from a corporate interest for five years after leaving office. If a candidate breaks the pledge, the Co-op will publicly call for their resignation.

  • Post all campaign finance reports on public candidate websites before state deadlines.
  • Never meet with a corporate lobbyist without a constituent present and a public note taken.
  • Support public financing of elections and a statewide small-donor matching system.

STAY CONNECTED

The movement is growing every day, and we want you in the room. Sign up for our email list to receive weekly updates on volunteer events, candidate debates, and breaking policy news. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for real-time coverage of town halls, canvass launches, and direct actions at the State House. Every share and every repost helps a neighbor find their candidate.

Bring a friend. The single most powerful action you can take is a one-on-one conversation with someone you know. Tell them why you are supporting the Co-op, share a candidate’s personal story, and invite them to the next house meeting or phone bank. When we organize our own neighborhoods, no amount of corporate spending can stop us.

The next ninety days will decide the future of Rhode Island. Do not sit on the sidelines. Join a campaign today, donate what you can, and help us win the governing majority that working families, students, and every Rhode Islander deserves.

A COOPERATIVE BUILT BY RHODE ISLANDERS, FOR RHODE ISLANDERS

The Rhode Island Political Cooperative is a member-owned, member-funded organization created to change how politics is practiced in the Ocean State. It is not a traditional party apparatus, and it is not a single candidate's campaign committee. It is a cooperative in the literal sense: residents join, contribute modest dues or volunteer hours, and in return share ownership of the organization's strategy, endorsements, and priorities. Nearly every dollar that funds our work comes from people who live and work in Rhode Island, which means our agenda is written by neighbors rather than by donors from outside the state.

The cooperative grew out of a frustration that many Rhode Islanders share: elections here have long been shaped by a small number of well-connected interests, and too many decisions about housing, wages, and public services are made without the people most affected in the room. By pooling resources across many small contributions, the cooperative can support candidates who would otherwise struggle to compete against entrenched, well-financed incumbents. That pooled model also lets us do something individual campaigns rarely manage — keep organizing between election cycles instead of disappearing once the polls close.

Membership is open to any Rhode Island resident who agrees with the cooperative's platform and is willing to sign the pledge. Members vote on endorsements, serve on committees, and take part in the assemblies that set the organization's direction each year. In exchange, they commit a few hours a month to the unglamorous work that decides elections: knocking on doors, making calls, hosting house meetings, and talking with neighbors. This is the central bargain of the cooperative — shared ownership in return for shared effort.

HOW THE COOPERATIVE ORGANIZES AND DECIDES

Every city and town where members live forms a local chapter, and chapters send delegates to a statewide assembly that meets regularly throughout the year. The assembly reviews candidate applications, interviews hopefuls, and votes on endorsements. Endorsement is not a formality: candidates must show that they have built a real base of support in their district and that they intend to run a serious grassroots campaign. Chapters also set their own local priorities, whether that means a school budget fight, a push for renters' protections, or a demand for more transparent town government.

Funding decisions follow the same logic. Because the cooperative relies on dues and small donations rather than large checks from industry groups, its budget is modest and deliberately transparent. Members decide how funds are divided among endorsed campaigns, year-round organizing, and the shared services — data, literature, training, and canvass infrastructure — that individual candidates could never afford alone. That shared infrastructure is one of the cooperative's greatest advantages, allowing first-time candidates to run professional campaigns without becoming dependent on wealthy patrons.

The cooperative also holds its own elected officials accountable after Election Day. Endorsed candidates sign the pledge, and members track how those officials vote on the legislation the platform identifies as priorities. When an officeholder drifts away from those commitments, members are expected to say so publicly, and the assembly can withhold its support in a future race. This accountability is not about punishing individuals; it is the mechanism that keeps the organization's promises meaningful over time.

THE FIGHTS WE ARE ORGANIZING FOR

The cooperative's platform is built around the everyday costs and insecurities that Rhode Island families face. Housing sits at the top of that list: rents and home prices have risen far faster than wages, and the state needs both stronger protections for renters and a serious commitment to building homes that working people can actually afford. Alongside housing, the cooperative organizes on healthcare costs, paid family leave, a livable minimum wage, and protections for workers who are standing up for themselves on the job.

On climate, the cooperative supports a rapid transition to renewable energy that keeps utility costs down for ratepayers and creates well-paying local jobs, with particular attention to the communities that carry the heaviest pollution burden. On democracy, members push for reforms that make voting easier and state government more transparent, from accessible polling places and clear disclosure rules to structural changes that reduce the influence of money in Rhode Island politics. The platform is reviewed and updated by the membership, so it reflects what members are seeing on their own streets rather than a template handed down from somewhere else.

The cooperative also takes seriously the long work of building political power in a small state. Turnout in many Rhode Island primaries is decided by a few thousand votes, which means a well-organized chapter of a few dozen committed members can genuinely change an outcome. That is why the cooperative invests in year-round canvassing, in training new volunteers, and in recruiting candidates who might never have imagined themselves running for office. The sections that follow — our leadership, the plan, the platform, the pledge, and the candidates — lay out who is doing this work, how they intend to do it, and who is asking for your vote.

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JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Our candidates are going up against entrenched politicians and powerful special interests. They’re not intimidated, but they need your help. Because we don’t take any money from corporate PACs, corporate lobbyists, or the fossil fuel industry, we’re relying on you. Can you chip in today to elect a government of, for, and by the people?

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