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Anthony Spiratos, Republican for State Senate District 13 (Newport, Jamestown)
On this week's show, one hour with Anthony Spiratos, Republican challenger to Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed.
We'll get his take on the future of Aquidneck Island, Paiva-Weed's performance in the state Senate, and a host of other topics. Tune in to AM630 & 99.7FM every Saturday night at 6 or listen live on your PC or mobile device. |
A message from Anthony Spiratos:
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
- Thomas Jefferson
As a kid I was taught to believe that one person can make a difference against any bad law or policy which government may try to institute and that government is made up of elected men and women who are not above or below the law but equal to it. Throughout my life I have always tried to stand on principle and fight against laws and policies which would hurt the city which I love. In 2002 at 19 years old I decided to run for State Representative, District #75 (Newport) because I saw that Rhode Island needed Separation of Powers and that the General Assembly went unchecked without it. I saw the growing threat of the casino industry wanting to expand into Rhode Island and into Newport. I also saw a lack of opportunity for young people of my generation and Rhode Island being dead last when it came to being business friendly. My campaign launched a grass roots effort and on election day we came very close to winning receiving 48.34% of the vote. This was done in a district where Democrats outnumbered Republicans 3 to 1 and I ran as a Republican. My opponent at the time, Paul Crowley was in the leadership under then Speaker of the House John Harwood and had been in office for 23 years. Longer than I had been alive at the time. Since I ran for office I testified against casino gambling at State House hearings that were held in Newport.
In 1993 when I was 10 years old, Teresa Paiva Weed our current State Senator from District 13 was sworn into office and in 2008 became Senate President. During this time we have continued to be almost dead last when it comes to being business friendly and continue to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation where we see our State be the first one in a recession and the last one out. We see bad policy after bad policy come out of the State House year after year. Deepwater Wind, 38 Studios, the casino issue being put on the ballot 6 times even though the residents of District 13 have voted “NO” 6 times and the State sales tax on short term rentals.
I am a successful 32 year old self employed real estate developer who is a life long Newporter. I love Newport and this State. Anyone who knows me will tell you I was born a Newporter and I'll die a Newporter.
Why have I decided to run against Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed for State Senate? Three words TRUST, CONFIDENCE and ACCOUNTABILITY. I want to restore those three things in the General Assembly so that the citizens of District 13 can trust and have the confidence in their government to not have 3am backroom deals and also know with 100% certainty that if I have the honor of being elected your State Senator that the only people I am accountable to are you the voter and taxpayer and no one else. My generation needs a government that creates economic conditions that will help bring companies with high paying jobs to this State. Our General Assembly has completely failed at doing this. If I'm elected, I can't be influenced, pressured or bought by special interests and no other politician can twist my arm. I don't need or want their money to win this election or any election for that matter. I will answer to only you the taxpayer and voter. I believe that we have enormous opportunity and that our best days are ahead of us. We just need a State government that works for us and not against us. I ask for your support. Together we can bring back the American dream to all of our citizens.
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
- Thomas Jefferson
As a kid I was taught to believe that one person can make a difference against any bad law or policy which government may try to institute and that government is made up of elected men and women who are not above or below the law but equal to it. Throughout my life I have always tried to stand on principle and fight against laws and policies which would hurt the city which I love. In 2002 at 19 years old I decided to run for State Representative, District #75 (Newport) because I saw that Rhode Island needed Separation of Powers and that the General Assembly went unchecked without it. I saw the growing threat of the casino industry wanting to expand into Rhode Island and into Newport. I also saw a lack of opportunity for young people of my generation and Rhode Island being dead last when it came to being business friendly. My campaign launched a grass roots effort and on election day we came very close to winning receiving 48.34% of the vote. This was done in a district where Democrats outnumbered Republicans 3 to 1 and I ran as a Republican. My opponent at the time, Paul Crowley was in the leadership under then Speaker of the House John Harwood and had been in office for 23 years. Longer than I had been alive at the time. Since I ran for office I testified against casino gambling at State House hearings that were held in Newport.
In 1993 when I was 10 years old, Teresa Paiva Weed our current State Senator from District 13 was sworn into office and in 2008 became Senate President. During this time we have continued to be almost dead last when it comes to being business friendly and continue to have one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation where we see our State be the first one in a recession and the last one out. We see bad policy after bad policy come out of the State House year after year. Deepwater Wind, 38 Studios, the casino issue being put on the ballot 6 times even though the residents of District 13 have voted “NO” 6 times and the State sales tax on short term rentals.
I am a successful 32 year old self employed real estate developer who is a life long Newporter. I love Newport and this State. Anyone who knows me will tell you I was born a Newporter and I'll die a Newporter.
Why have I decided to run against Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed for State Senate? Three words TRUST, CONFIDENCE and ACCOUNTABILITY. I want to restore those three things in the General Assembly so that the citizens of District 13 can trust and have the confidence in their government to not have 3am backroom deals and also know with 100% certainty that if I have the honor of being elected your State Senator that the only people I am accountable to are you the voter and taxpayer and no one else. My generation needs a government that creates economic conditions that will help bring companies with high paying jobs to this State. Our General Assembly has completely failed at doing this. If I'm elected, I can't be influenced, pressured or bought by special interests and no other politician can twist my arm. I don't need or want their money to win this election or any election for that matter. I will answer to only you the taxpayer and voter. I believe that we have enormous opportunity and that our best days are ahead of us. We just need a State government that works for us and not against us. I ask for your support. Together we can bring back the American dream to all of our citizens.
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