Lawson announces candidacy for East Providence State Senate seat

Challenges for District 14 spot occupied by DaPonte

Posted 10/3/17

EAST PROVIDENCE — In a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 3, Valerie J. Lawson announced her candidacy for the Rhode Island Senate District 14 seat currently occupied by long-time …

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Lawson announces candidacy for East Providence State Senate seat

Challenges for District 14 spot occupied by DaPonte

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — In a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 3, Valerie J. Lawson announced her candidacy for the Rhode Island Senate District 14 seat currently occupied by long-time incumbent Daniel Da Ponte.

The release described Ms. Lawson as a lifelong East Providence resident and educator for 27 years. She began teaching social studies at Edward R. Martin Middle School in 1990 where she also coached the girls’ basketball team. In 2001, she moved over to East Providence High School to teach U.S. history and civics. She is a graduate of EPHS and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education and her Master of Education from Rhode Island College.

In continued, Ms. Lawson is currently secretary of the East Providence Education Association and she has served in every role in her local union including president from 2008 to 2014. She was recently elected to her third term as vice president of National Education Association Rhode Island, the statewide union representing 12,000 members: teachers, education support professionals, higher education, and state and municipal employees.

“I have lived in EP my entire life, I am a Townie through and through. As an educator, coach, advocate, housing authority commissioner, local union president, and Democratic City Committee member, I have invested in East Providence at every stage of my professional career and in my varied interests,” Ms. Lawson wrote. “With the support of my husband Lenny, my family, friends, and colleagues, it didn’t take long to see that the state senate provides an opportunity to strengthen my community and continue to make a positive impact on the town I love.

“I am proud to be an active participant in my union. NEA Rhode Island encourages members to get involved in their communities. As a former local president in East Providence and as vice president of NEARI, I would not ask others to do more than I am willing to do myself. I believe strongly in public education, I am a steadfast supporter of East Providence and it would be an honor to represent my District 14 neighbors in the Rhode Island Senate.”

Mr. Da Ponte, who has represented East Providence in the State Senate since first elected in 1999, has yet to formally announce whether he will be seeking re-election in 2018.

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