State Rep. Aaron Regunberg Shares Vision for Lieutenant Governor’s Office with EP Democratic City Committee

East Providence - Representative Aaron Regunberg spoke to the East Providence Democratic Committee Monday evening to discuss his campaign for Lieutenant Governor. 

Regunberg’s campaign has been endorsed by East Providence State Representatives Gregg Amore, Katherine Kazarian, and Helder Cunha. Rep. Gregg Amore, who has represented District 65 in East Providence since 2013 and serves as Chairman of the House Finance Subcommittee on Education, said, “Aaron cares about working people, and he’s passionate about public education. I’ve seen him help young people win real changes in our schools, and he’s fought every single day in the State House to make sure working families are heard. To be very frank, I have not seen that kind of leadership from our current Lieutenant Governor. I want to see someone in that position who will fight for East Providence families, and that’s why I’m proud to be all in for Aaron’s campaign.”

Rep. Regunberg told the East Providence Democratic City Committee that he is running to be a voice for everyday Rhode Islanders. “I’ve seen firsthand how lobbyists for the wealthy and the well-connected - the Walmarts, the payday lenders, the NRA - they are always present in the State House. We need a statewide elected official who says, ‘It’s my job to be a voice for all the families who can’t afford that corporate lobbyist.’”

Regunberg discussed the issues that he intends to fight for in the Lieutenant Governor’s office, like investments in public schools, raising the minimum wage, and universal healthcare.

“Today we’re sending kids to school in buildings that are falling down around them. That’s not right, it’s not safe and it sends children a message that their education is not a priority for our state. It is a priority for me, and I know it is for you,” said Regunberg. “We need leaders that will stand up for funding for our schools, and who will say loud and clear - no more cuts to the middle class.”

Rep. Katherine Kazarian, who has represented District 63 in East Providence since 2013, said, “Aaron was a wonderful partner when we worked together to pass our genocide education legislation. And he’s accomplished a great deal - from increasing the tipped minimum wage for the first time in 20 years, to expanding access to wind and solar energy, to guaranteeing paid sick time for over 100,000 Rhode Islanders who never before had that security, Aaron has demonstrated he can bring people together to win real change.”

Representative Regunberg was elected to represent District 4 in 2014, and his time in the State House has been marked by a number of high-profile legislative wins. In addition to his Earned Sick Day legislation, Regunburg introduced and passed the first increase in the tipped minimum wage in 20 years, legislation to create new green energy programs, and reforms to the use of solitary confinement.

Regunberg leads his opponent in fundraising and has earned the endorsements of a number of labor unions, environmental groups, and state elected officials. His endorsements include Teamsters Local 251, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 618, IBEW 2323, SEIU 1199 New England, Rhode Island Working Families Party, United Nurses and Allied Professionals, Unite Here Local 26, United Auto Workers Region 9a, the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, 350.org Rhode Island, and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.