I am the only candidate with extensive experience leading statewide initiatives and making government work in a variety of roles. I have passed countless pieces of legislation as a Providence City Councilor and Chair the Special Committee on Environment and Resilience and North Main Street Task Force. As RI’s first Director of Food Strategy, I implemented a comprehensive food strategy across state agencies. I managed complex teams and strategies across geographies as the Northeast Director of Climate and Energy at The Nature Conservancy. I have served on countless boards and commissions, and intimately know Rhode Island, and how to make our government work. In addition, my MBA from Yale helps me better understand business and leading teams.

I have spent my career asking one simple question: What are you going to do about it? We have big but solvable challenges in RI and need leaders who will step up and take action.

The biggest opportunity I see for this office is to tackle our more systemic, complicated issues, and weave together whole-of-government solutions. The role is independent of the Governor and General Assembly, but if you know how to bring people together and make government work, you can make real change.

I am running because I see it as the most effective way to get things done now, not because I want a long career in politics. I will take on the hard issues, stick my neck out for things that are important and bring a positive, progressive energy to the office

An affordability crisis. We need leaders who will target the forces driving this crisis, hold corporations accountable, and put the power back in the hands of Rhode Islanders. Energy affordability is a key example. As LG, I will implement an energy plan that will stabilize our bills, invest in local jobs, and prioritize RI’ers - not utility shareholders.

Lack of trust in government. RI’ers are frustrated with the status quo: empty promises, closed-door decision making, and no real progress. I will never make a promise I don’t intend to keep, and will have open, honest, and regular communication.

Transportation & Infrastructure: As I have on Council, I will partner across agencies for safer and well-maintained streets and a strong RIPTA.

Being an effective Lieutenant Governor requires proven experience, and I offer decades of tested leadership in public service. I am proud to be one of the first women to graduate from the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy, proving that women have exactly what it takes to protect and serve. After serving for 20 years and rising to the rank of lieutenant, I continued my public service for 4 years on the Barrington Town Council and 8 years as a state senator, building a reputation for accountability, integrity and transparency. My experience and leadership have been tested at all levels of government, making me uniquely qualified to address our state’s many challenges and ready to serve on day one as governor, should that need arise.

I am running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe this office is underutilized and, with my proven experience, we can do better. Rhode Islanders are facing housing, affordability, and healthcare crises, among others. I am the only Democratic candidate who has served in the General Assembly, and I am uniquely qualified to use my decades of public service and legislative experience to fully utilize this important office and address these challenges head-on. As Lieutenant Governor, I plan to build a productive relationship with the Governor, whoever that may be, use the office as a “bully pulpit,” and advance initiatives in the legislature.

The top three challenges facing the state are the affordability of goods and housing, access to and cost of healthcare, and the dangers presented by the Trump administration. The Lieutenant Governor has important statutory responsibilities as chair of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, Small Business Advocacy Council, and Emergency Management Advisory Council. As Lieutenant Governor, I will seek common sense solutions to: 1) enhance Rhode Island’s long-term care system and advocate for a family caregiver state tax credit; 2) improve Rhode Island’s poorly rated small business climate; and 3) ensure our state’s emergency management system is prepared for the future, especially as we can’t rely on the Trump administration for support.

I have a strong record of executive experience, uniting people to solve problems and deliver results. As mayor of Newport and today as a councilor, I expanded housing, invested in public schools, protected Newport Hospital's Birthing Center, and established Rhode Island's first municipal resiliency department. I chaired Providence Water, which serves 60% of the state, reducing costs through clean energy investments, and led the Governor's Workforce Board to address workforce shortages. Early in my career, I served in the General Treasurer's Office during the financial crisis. These experiences have prepared me to serve as an engaged lieutenant governor dedicated to advancing Rhode Island.

We need to stand up to the chaos coming out of Washington by showing Rhode Islanders that government can act with urgency and competence to improve their lives. The lieutenant governor has the unique ability to focus the office on the challenges that matter most to our state. I’ll use that platform to address our primary care crisis and build stronger pathways into good-paying careers in fields where Rhode Island urgently needs workers, including health care and housing construction.

Rhode Island faces three main challenges: health care access and affordability, workforce development, and government effectiveness. As lieutenant governor, I will bring together health care providers, employers, educators, labor, and state leaders to build consensus and drive action. My priorities are expanding the primary care workforce, strengthening career and technical education, and improving coordination across state agencies for more efficient results. Rhode Islanders deserve a lieutenant governor focused on solutions, not just the title.

I bring military leadership, legislative experience, and deep Rhode Island roots to the Lieutenant Governor’s office. As a retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with 26 years flying UH-1 and OH-58 helicopters, I completed combat tours in Bosnia (1995–1996) and Iraq (2011). This instilled decisive leadership and accountability under pressure. I represented House District 71 for three terms (2005–2010) as Republican Whip, advancing bipartisan practical legislation and fiscal responsibility. For nearly 13 years I hosted the John Loughlin Show on WPRO, staying connected to Rhode Islanders’ concerns on taxes, energy, education, and housing. These experiences equip me to serve as a strong, independent voice for accountability, economic opportu

I am running because Rhode Island deserves leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric and puts families, small businesses, taxpayers, and communities first. The Lieutenant Governor’s office has long been underutilized. I will turn it into an active platform and constructive check—promoting transparency, elevating overlooked issues, and advancing policies that improve lives by lowering costs, expanding opportunity, and strengthening accountability. I seek this office not for a title, but to transform it into a genuine voice for Rhode Islanders focused on service, transparency, and results.

High energy costs: Rhode Island faces some of the nation’s highest rates. I will advocate reliable, affordable base-load power (natural gas, nuclear) and an all-of-the-above approach. Wind and solar are intermittent; over-reliance risks blackouts, as Texas saw in 2021. Affordable housing: Working families are priced out despite $644M spent 2021–2025 and a 23,000-unit shortage. I will expand supply via smarter zoning, fewer barriers, e-permitting, clear timelines, pre-approved designs, and incentives while protecting property rights. Accountability: On May 11, 2026 I called for a real Inspector General; the Assembly followed. I will ensure professional staffing (not appointees) and use APRA data for transparency and results, modeled on pas

I have served as Lieutenant Governor since 2021. Prior to five years of statewide experience, I served my community as President of the City Council in Providence, the state’s largest city with the largest budget. Prior to that, I was a member of the Providence City council since. Before my time on the Providence City Council, I served my neighbors as a strong advocate for affordable housing in Olneyville and Silver Lake.

As Lieutenant Governor for the past 5 years, I’ve continued to put the interests of working people, small businesses, seniors, veterans, and families first. With unprecedented attacks on our freedoms, I’ve also faced the tough fights to protect reproductive freedoms, expand voting rights, and defend immigrants.

I am running for office, because affordability is not a 2026 issue for me. I have lived it and I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck.

I have proven that the Lieutenant Governor's Office can achieve significant success. Through my Fair Price Grocery Agenda, our office took on some of the biggest retailers in the world and won legislative victories that will help lower grocery prices in our state and expand access to fresh, affordable food.

My run for re-election is to fight for everyday Rhode Islanders; to ensure Rhode Island keeps winning in our fight against corporate greed. I will not stop fighting until every Rhode Islander can afford to live, work, raise a family, and age with dignity in our state.

Challenge #1 - The cost of food and housing. I have proven that the Lieutenant Governor can achieve significant success. I am lowering the cost of food through the Fair Price Grocery Agenda. Challenge #2 - Long-Term Care: Approximately 25% of Rhode Island’s population is over 60 years old. Without an advocate and a pragmatic plan, our seniors will rely solely on government and personal savings to survive their golden years. Challenge #3 - Strengthening and Protecting Our Small Businesses. I am working on creating the Center for Employee Ownership because it is a pathway to economic success. Small business succession planning and employee ownership are about creating wealth for everyone. This is how we make capitalism work for everyone.

Six years in the Military, serving as a Russian Linguist with a Top Secret SCI clearance. I am the only candidate in the Primary with Military Service.

28 Years as an Award-Winning Science Teacher at Ponaganset High School

Instrument rated Commercial Pilot License

Numerous major renewable energy projects over decades including hydrogen fuel cell, biodiesel and biofuels, solar, and battery technology.

Fuel Efficiency: Efficiency is essential as we work towards a sustainable future. I set an FAI Aviation World Record in Fuel Efficiency.

I have a long track record of getting challenging projects done. As a Science Teacher I have gone above and beyond and will continue to do this as Lieutenant Governor.

I care about building a better future for my students and for Rhode Islanders. As a middle class family guy with a wife and four kids, two in college, I understand firsthand the economic challenges most Rhode Islanders are facing and I will work hard to make Rhode Island a better place to live. www.rossmccurdy.com has more information on my campaign

www.protium.us www.bioplane.us have more information on my renewable energy projects. Education is another top challenge but I ran out of room below. Good news, our Rhode Island schools placed 8th Nationally in a US News and World Report Ranking! More Career and Technical Education programs can be a pipeline to good careers

Affordability, I will fight to stop taxing social security. 42 states don't tax social security and Rhode Island shouldn't either. We want our Seniors to be able to afford to stay in Rhode Island and not be enticed away to other states.

Energy and Climate. We need more clean renewable energy and stop using fossil fuels. The only energy resources we have in Rhode Island are solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric. We need to harness these clean energy technologies and combine them with leading edge battery storage technology to ensure an affordable energy future eventually leading to zero carbon dioxide emissions. Energy independence will create good jobs and careers, protect our environment, and ensure affordable energy for our future