Diel, Costa Make It Official

Two Barrington Republicans made their candidacies for the General Assembly official early Monday morning, June 25 – the first day to file declaration papers.

Manfred “Fred” Diel, who announced his candidacy for the District 66 representative seat held by Joy Hearn of Barrington in mid-May, was the first candidate to file his declaration papers in Town Hall. He showed up when the doors opened around 8:30 am. See the Patch story when Diel announced his candidacy by clicking here.

Peter Costa Jr., who announced his candidacy for the District 67 representative seat held by Jan Malik of Warren, in April, filed his declaration papers about 25 minutes later. See the Patch story when Costa announced his candidacy by clicking here.

Both Diel and Costa are seeking their first elective offices.

“It’s all about the economy," says Diel. "If you fix it, all of the other things will come around.”

And Diel believes that the turn-around will start by bringing manufacturing jobs back to Rhode Island.

“Then the manufacturers will hire full-time employees, which automatically brings in tax revenue with payroll taxes and decreases the state’s unemployment rate,” he said.

Diel describes himself as a fiscal and social conservative, a “constitutionalist” and a Ronald Reagan Republican. The Navy veterans says he has no problem wearing the uniform for campaign photos because he embodies the “military ideal.”

Costa believes there is a strong need for more Republicans in the legislature who will focus on the needs of people for jobs, lower taxes and “getting government off our backs.”

“These are issues for everyone,” he said. “There are 62,000 Rhode Islanders who are looking for work and cannot find a job. The Democratic General Assembly has made us (Rhode Island) less competitive.”

Costa said he will focus on three areas if he is elected: Common sense reforms of the tax code; relying on industries that work in Rhode Island, such as manufacturing, hospitality and health care, and getting people back to work.

Barrington candidates have until 4 pm on Wednesday, June 27, to file their declaration of candidacy papers in Town Hall.