RI Election 2022 Candidate Profile: David Segal For U.S. Congress

RHODE ISLAND — The primary election in Rhode Island is fast approaching. Although the race has been headlined by a contentious governor's race, there are plenty of other important races at the local level, including who will represent District 2 for the Ocean State in U.S. Congress.

Six Democrats are vying for the congressional seat in the primary: including Omar Bah, Spencer Dickinson, Joy Fox, Seth Magaziner, Sarah Morgenthau and David Segal.

To help inform voters prior to the Sept. 13 primary, Patch is publishing candidate profiles. This one focuses on Segal.

Name

David Segal

Campaign website

https://www.davidsegalri.com

City or town of residence

Providence

Office sought

U.S. Congress

District, if applicable

2nd Congressional District

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

BA in math from Columbia

Occupation

Executive Director of Demand Progress (on leave)

Family

Parents and siblings and aunts and uncles cousins, but I'm single.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My sister's at the Interior Department

Age

42

Previous public office, appointive or elective

Providence City Council 2003-7; Rhode Island House of Representatives 2007-11

Why are you seeking this office?

We’ll only make progress on the major issues — like affordability, protecting choice and other fundamental rights, climate change, universal health care — if we overcome corporate special interests and political corruption. I’ve been doing this since my first run for office 20 years ago, when I ran for office as part of a movement for fairer wages and defeated an entrenched ward machine in Providence. I've carried this work forward as a state representative and as a national advocate.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I’m the only candidate who’s spent 20 years standing up to corporate special interests and political corruption — out of a recognition that we’ll only make sufficient progress on all of the other important issues if we first address the systems that block change. I’ve done this as a local and state lawmaker here, and as a national advocate on issues like addressing the power of the big banks, big tech, and big cable and other corporate monopolies. I’m not taking money from corporate PACs or registered corporate lobbyists.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Protecting choice and other fundamental rights is rightly top of mind for voters. I cosponsored the codification of Roe when I was in the General Assembly, and have worked to protect other rights — like LGBTQ+ rights and voting rights — that are now under threat. We need to pass legislation to codify everything we can. We also need to look at court reforms like term limits, ethics reform, and other measures.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I’m the only person in this race who’s been a legislator, at the local and state levels. I’ve helped pass dozens of pieces of legislation, many as lead sponsor, related to housing, the environment, civil rights, workers' rights, and more. I’ve been a participant in constructing budgets of billions of dollars — and helping to ensure that taxes and spending programs within them were more fair to middle class, working class, and lower income people. And I’ve helped advance or block many measures — legislative or otherwise — at the federal level.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I first entered politics a mentor told me two things, which apply to politics and to life in general. Get to know everybody you can — you’ll find that you have something in common with almost everyone, and can build productive relationships and friendships even where you might not expect. And always seek to keep your commitments — if you do you’ll be respected by, and be able to work with, even those you disagree with.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My website includes extensive info on my positions, endorsements, and background. I’d encourage folks who are interested to go take a look and reach out with any questions.