RI Election 2022 Candidate Profile: Lenny Cioe For State Senate

PROVIDENCE, RI — The primary election in Rhode Island is less than two weeks away. Although the race has been headlined by a contentious governor's race, there's plenty of other important races at the local level, including who will represent District 4 in the State Senate.

In the district representing parts of Providence and North Providence, incumbent Democrat Dominick Ruggerio will square off against Leny Cioe and Stephen Tocco.

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

Name

Leonardo Americo Cioe Jr.

Campaign website

https://www.lennyforri.com

City or town of residence

North Providence

Office sought

State Senate

District, if applicable

State Senate District 4

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Rhode Island College Nursing Degree

Occupation

Registered Nurse, 20+ years

Family

Husband Mike Bibeault

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

63

Previous public office, appointive or elective

No

Why are you seeking this office?

After 40+ years of the same political leadership, our community is ready for a change. I am not a career politician. I am a registered nurse who has been at the front lines of the Covid-19 crisis. I'm the son of an educator and a union leader, and I've always known the value of strong schools and good jobs. In 2013, my partner of 28 years and I were married. Now, I am running for Senate in District 4 Providence / North Providence to fight for a government that works for all Rhode Islanders, not just the wealthy and well-connected up at the State House.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

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

I am not a career politician, like Dominick Ruggerio. Ruggerio has been in office over 40 years. In a true democracy, no one should be in office that long. As a registered nurse, I know what my patients and our community needs to thrive. Up at the State House, I will always be an independent voice for our community. I'm a grassroots campaign funded by our community, not the wealthy donors and lobbyists who bankroll Ruggerio. Voting for Lenny Cioe is a vote for change and new leadership in North Providence and Providence.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Dominick Ruggerio is not present in our community. He has been the State Senator here for nearly four decades, but has not knocked on our doors or had conversations with neighbors about what matters to them. Ruggerio has also made cuts to Medicaid, a program our seniors rely on, and has voted against codifying Roe v. Wade into Rhode Island state law. In the wake of the Dobbs' decision, we need to protect a woman's reproductive health more than ever.

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

Other important issues to me are small business. Small businessess are the backbone of our community. I want to cut the taxes of small businessess in North Providence and throughout Rhode Island, so that they can have a fair shot while competing against large corporations. We need to end corporate welfare and giving out tax breaks to large corporations.

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

I am deeply involved with my union at the Blackstone Valley Community Health Center. It's my involvement in the union that as taught me how to compromise and strike deals that help workers and our community get ahead. As a registered nurse, I am also deeply familiar with our healthcare system and I know what we need to do to fix it.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Never answer ignorance with ignorance. Always rise above it.

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

If you vote for me to be your Rhode Island State Senator, I will always be an independent voice for our community up at the State House.