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Senator In General Assembly District 33

State senators serve in the in the Rhode Island Senate, one of two chambers in Rhode Island’s General Assembly. Rhode Island senators serve on committees, introduce bills and enact laws, and confirm judicial nominations and gubernatorial appointments. They are elected every two years. There are 38 state senators in Rhode Island and each senator represents approximately 27,000 Rhode Islanders.

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  • Candidate picture

    James P Pierson
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Leonidas Peter Raptakis
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

What steps will you take to ensure everyone living in our state has access to quality and affordable health care?

What will you do to combat the underlying issues driving the inflation rate such as in rising costs of housing, childcare, energy, and groceries?

What actions will you take to uphold the constitutional balance between federal and state authority in the administration of our state‑run elections?

What are the most important challenges facing our state and what do you propose to address them? 

What three actions will you support to protect, preserve, and enhance America’s democracy and why?

Health care should be accessible, high-quality, and affordable. I support greater price transparency, increased competition and consumer choice, and the removal of unnecessary regulations that drive up health-care and prescription-drug costs. We should expand access to primary care and affordable options while protecting benefits earned by seniors. Government should empower patients and families to make informed choices rather than impose a one-size-fits-all system.
Government policies can make everyday necessities more expensive. I would reduce the regulatory burden driving up housing, energy, and business costs; reform existing laws to make energy more affordable; and support zoning reforms that preserve local control while reducing unnecessary red tape and development costs. We should eliminate unnecessary unfunded mandates and strengthen workforce development. The goal is simple: shrink the size of our state budget, eliminate wasteful spending, reduce government-added costs, and create an environment where businesses can invest, hire, and grow.
Elections must be administered in accordance with the Constitution, state law, and established legal authority. I would oppose improper efforts to shift control of Rhode Island's elections away from the state and local authorities responsible for administering them. I support reasonable safeguards including voter identification, paper ballots, proof of citizenship, and same-day voting, while protecting lawful access to the ballot. Election rules should be clear, transparent, consistently applied, and established through proper constitutional and legislative processes, not manipulated for partisan advantage.
Rhode Island's biggest challenges include the high cost of living, expensive energy, housing affordability, excessive regulation, workforce shortages, pressure on schools and municipal budgets, and government accountability. My approach centers on affordability, local control, economic growth, public safety, and accountable government. I would reform policies that increase energy and housing costs, restore local control over development, eliminate unnecessary unfunded mandates, reduce burdens on employers, strengthen workforce development, and demand transparency, fiscal responsibility, constitutional rights, and equal application of the law.
1. Protect the Constitution and individual rights. I will defend freedom of speech, religious liberty, due process, and the right to keep and bear arms.

2. Strengthen election integrity. I support voter identification, paper ballots, proof of citizenship, and transparent procedures while protecting every eligible citizen's lawful right to vote.

3. Restore accountability and equal application of the law. I support transparency, due process, and equal treatment regardless of political affiliation. Government must never be weaponized against political opponents or used to suppress lawful speech. These safeguards help preserve public trust and a Republic that's accountable to the people.
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