As the country heads into another election cycle, we reached out to local politicians running for office with a set of questions. Answers are edited only if absolutely necessarily because of typos or clarification. The goal is to let the candidates speak to you on these questions so you can compare their answers without ads or added interpretation.
U.S. SENATE
Sheldon Whitehouse (D), Patricia Morgan (R ), and Armando Anzoli (I) are running for Senator. We reached out to each candidate by email, on Twitter, on Instagram, on Facebook and by phone where possible, for several weeks. Anzoli did not respond. Here are the responses from Senator Whitehouse and Representative Morgan.
What is your single highest priority issue to address in Congress?
Morgan: Combating the high cost of living that is crushing working – and middle-class – families in Rhode Island. I believe it is tied to Sheldon Whitehouse’s war on fossil fuels. Energy is tied to everything that we need and use for our lives. Restricting production of natural gas and oil has made it more expensive. Demanding that solar and wind be a primary source has made electricity much more expensive and if we continue to add more solar and wind, consumers can expect that cost to escalate to increasingly painful levels. Manufacturers and companies use much more energy than households. They will not be able to profitably run their businesses. They will close or leave, taking their jobs with them. They certainly won’t be giving raises and additional benefits. As the prices of food, utilities, transportation, and rent go up, but their salaries stay the same and are eaten up with inflated prices, our young adults are giving up on the thought of ever owning a home. That is not good for them or for America. We must keep the American Dream alive and well. I will work to bring better solutions to the table. Impoverishing Americans is not the answer.
Whitehouse: I’m focused on growing the middle class. There are a lot of elements to that: preventing Social Security and Medicare from getting kneecapped by Republicans in Congress; making housing affordable; continuing our job-creating investments in infrastructure; preventing families from getting walloped by a climate catastrophe; fixing the tax code so it doesn’t favor billionaires over regular people; building on our progress lowering health care costs and improving the quality of care; strengthening schools and dealing with the student debt problem. We have to do all of those things at once, and that’s our Democratic agenda.
How would you balance voting your conscience against voting along party lines when those two ideals conflict? Can you think of an example when you’ve reached across the aisle to solve a problem?
Morgan: I have already done both in the General Assembly where I have served for 12 years. I always strive to do the right thing – making my constituents’ best interests my priority. As far as reaching across the aisle, I have sponsored over a dozen bills that have been passed under a Democrat Representative’s name. I actively encouraged them to take the bill, if that was the only way to get it passed. Again, it’s about moving ideas forward that will make the lives of Rhode Islanders better.
Whitehouse: What is best for Rhode Islanders is my touchstone. I crossed my own President when he proposed a “chained CPI” for Social Security that I thought was a bad idea, and co-founded the Defend Social Security Caucus to be sure we won (which we did). I’ve been the Democrat lead working with Republicans on improving safe, emissions-free nuclear power, and on reducing plastic waste in our oceans, getting five separate bipartisan bills passed.
Do the interests of Rhode Island differ at all from the interests of the nation?
Morgan: We have some industries, such as our military, submarine building, sailing and fishing that are unique to our state, and set us apart from other states. As a result, they require a strong advocate to make sure those companies and their employees are getting the resources they need to prosper.
Whitehouse: I believe there is more that unites Americans than divides us. Rhode Island does have some unique needs. Being the Ocean State, we need to fight climate change. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, changing the map of our state before the end of this century. Many parts of our economy – the fishing industry, restaurants, tourism – depend on Narragansett Bay, and rising temperatures are changing the Bay. I’ve led the climate fight for decades, helping pave the way to passing the historic Inflation Reduction Act – the biggest climate bill the world has ever seen. There’s still a long way to go before we get the planet in the safe zone, but I’m going to keep taking on Big Oil to make Rhode Island families less dependent on expensive, dirty energy, and safer from climate catastrophe.
What do you do to identify what your constituents want or need?
Morgan: I talk to them. I walk my district and make it a habit to find out what is important to them. I readily answer calls and emails.
Whitehouse: I’m always happy to listen, whether it’s in the grocery store, at a parade, or in my office. I work closely with Rhode Island groups – for instance, my Comprehensive Addiction Recovery law was mostly designed via Rhode Island input. I also track very closely the letters and calls that come in and I am deeply involved in the responses that go to constituents. If someone takes time out of their busy life to tell me about a problem or concern, I spend the time to make sure they get a thoughtful response. It’s important to me.
What song do you listen to when you are alone in your car? Do you have a favorite RI-based musician?
Morgan: I listen to Frank Sinatra. I have heard so many great bands play this summer at the different festivals I have attended. They are all different, but all have gotten the crowd engaged. One that I especially liked was the Starlight band that I heard at the Providence Day of Portugal. They were terrific. Whitehouse: My car radio is tuned to MVY broadcasting out of Newport. If I had to pick a song, probably Roxy Music’s “More Than This.” Does RISD-rooted Talking Heads still count?
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 1
Recent incumbent Gabe Amo (D) is running against Allen Waters (R). We reached out to each candidate by email, on Twitter, on Instagram, on Facebook and by phone. We repeated this outreach for several weeks, if necessary. Waters could not be reached for comment. Here are the responses from Congressman Amo:
What is your single highest priority issue to address in Congress?
AMO: Making our government deliver for the people we serve. When I worked at the White House, I worked with governors and mayors on what was often the worst day of someone’s life – whether it was a hurricane or a flood, a mass shooting, or a building collapse. In Congress, my highest priority is to be useful for the communities in Rhode Island that I represent. We face a number of challenges, from fixing the Washington Bridge and growing our economy to bringing down housing costs and keeping residents safe from gun violence. The common throughline in all these issues is that I want Rhode Islanders to feel like someone is listening to them and working to address these priorities in the thoughtful way that they deserve.
How would you balance voting your conscience against voting along party lines when those two ideals conflict? Can you think of an example when you’ve reached across the aisle to solve a problem?
AMO: I think about this a lot. My litmus test involves asking, “Will it improve the lives of Rhode Islanders?” That’s my north star when it comes to casting my vote in Congress. When it comes to working across the aisle, I think about my effort with Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey to expand artificial intelligence literacy in K-12 schools. Together, we introduced the Literacy in Future Technologies Artificial Intelligence, or LIFT AI, Act, which would improve artificial intelligence literacy for K-12 educators and students. Artificial intelligence is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It’s a cutting-edge technology that is already reshaping the way that we learn, work, and live. I’m proud that our bipartisan legislation unanimously passed out of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. I’ll continue to work in a bipartisan manner if it means we can deliver solutions for the pressing challenges we face.
Do the interests of Rhode Island differ at all from the interests of the nation?
AMO: We are the smallest state in our country and definitely face unique challenges when it comes to protecting our coastlines, growing our economy, and competing for the jobs of the future. I’m always trying to connect my work back to the residents who call Rhode Island home. Why? Because at the end of the day, I’m accountable to my constituents in our First Congressional District. It’s why I’m constantly trying to elevate Rhode Island stories in the halls of Congress by fighting for our fair share of federal dollars and making sure that we can compete with states that have larger populations or state budgets.
What do you do to identify what your constituents want or need?
AMO: I make myself as accessible as possible. I make a point to meet people where they are and speak to as many constituents I can – especially if they take the time to travel all the way to Washington. In Rhode Island, it is not uncommon for me to attend several events in the district each day, from Woonsocket down to Newport. I do my best to engage with our state’s residents and listen to their needs so I can bring their stories back to Washington and fight for them. I don’t think there’s a substitute for that kind of in-person interaction. I encourage folks to reach out and I hope to meet as many of you as I can.
What song do you listen to when you are alone in your car? Do you have a favorite RI-based musician?
AMO: It may be cliché, but you can usually find me listening to NPR in the car to stay on top of the news. When it comes to unwinding, I don’t think you can do better than some of the seminal artists that come from Rhode Island: L.T.D. and Blu Cantrell, John B. and Tavares, who were the first Cape Verdean artists to win a Grammy. No matter who I’m listening to, I definitely try to represent some of the homegrown artists who make up part of our state’s storied music history.
U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 2
Incumbent Democrat Seth Magaziner is running against Republican Steven Corvi. Here are their responses:
What is your single highest priority issue to address in Congress?
Corvi: Social Security. I will introduce a Bill that asks for a mandate for the People of The United States [Rhode Island] to NOT allow the US Federal government to borrow from Social Security.
Magaziner: While we have made some progress, there is more that we can do to lower the cost of living and make it more affordable to live in Rhode Island. Industry consolidation in industries like food, energy, and healthcare has made it easier for big companies to raise prices at the expense of working people. In Congress, I support strong antitrust enforcement and investigating potential price gouging by big companies so that consumers aren’t taken advantage of. I also support incentives to bring back manufacturing to the United States, so that our supply chains are not vulnerable to disruptions in less stable parts of the world, to cap prices for life-saving drugs like insulin, and to expand housing production to lower costs.
How would you balance voting your conscience against voting along party lines when those two ideals conflict? Can you think of an example when you’ve reached across the aisle to solve a problem?
Corvi: First and foremost, my priority is the People of Rhode Island & the United States over ANY other concern! Party affiliation and support is important, but I will never let it interfere with my duty to the people of the United States. Period!
Magaziner: I always vote for what is best for Rhode Islanders and am proud to have worked with Members of Congress from both parties on legislation that can make a positive difference in people’s lives. Since coming to Congress, I’ve co-sponsored nearly 100 Republican-led bills, and have recruited Republican cosponsors for many of the bills I have introduced on issues ranging from career and technical education to homeland security. For example, I introduced a bill to provide student loan relief to families of disabled students in partnership with Republican Senator JD Vance and Republican Representative Marcus Molinaro. I also introduced a bill with Republican Representative Dan Crenswhaw to protect America’s infrastructure from cyber attacks.
Do the interests of Rhode Island differ at all from the interests of the nation?
Corvi: Generally they are well aligned, but there are some issues that are keen to Rhode Island and require Federal consideration: Washington Bridge, Small Business support from Federal gov’t in form of tax cuts and grants, and applying Federal legislation to streamline and improve Rhode Island healthcare at ALL levels!
Magaziner: What is good for Rhode Island is good for the nation!
What do you do to identify what your constituents want or need?
Corvi: I enumerate the concerns of my constituents as the following: Economy: Cost of Living vs. Wages and the CPI [Consumer Price Index] and Inflation Social Security Immigration: Merit-based immigration system to limit & contour the influx of immigrants in the USA Healthcare: A system based on healthcare decisions made by providers and NOT corporate interests Foreign Policy security issues: Ukraine, IsraeliPalestine-Middle Eastern conflicts, China, Pacific Rim & Taiwan
Magaziner: When I am home in Rhode Island, you will see me crisscrossing our District to hear directly from Rhode Islanders about how I can best represent them. I often find that the best ideas for a bill that I can introduce come directly from constituents. Since starting in Congress last year, I have hosted over a dozen in-person and telephone town halls that together have allowed me to hear directly from thousands of Rhode Islanders, and I also regularly send email surveys to constituents to ask for their opinions and feedback. One thing that people may be surprised to hear is that on average my office receives nearly 1000 emails and letters from constituents every week – and we respond to all of them. I am always grateful for any feedback from Rhode Islanders that I can take back to Washington with me.
What song do you listen to when you are alone in your car? Do you have a favorite RI-based musician?
Corvi: “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Emerson Lake & Palmer; “Song Remains the Same,” Led Zeppelin; “Don’t Stop,” Fleetwood Mac; “Every Kinda People,” Robert Palmer; “I Feel the Earth Move,” Carole King; “Love Gun,” Rick James; “Magnificent Seven,” The Clash; “Good Times,” Chic; “Trip Switch,” Nothing But Thieves; “Oye Como Va,” Santana; “If it’s Love,” Train; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” Tears for Fears; “Come Sail Away,” Styx; “I Got You,” Split Enz; “I’ll Be Around,” The Spinners; “Brass in Pocket,” The Pretenders; RI Philharmonic Orchestra
Magaziner: It’s hard to pick just one, but I think you could make a really great playlist with just Rhode Island musicians. Deer Tick, Vanessa Carlton, Talking Heads, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Billy Gillman, and Taylor Swift would all make the cut for starters! •
Motif would like to thank all the candidates above for taking the time and effort to answer these questions for our readers.
