Pam Lauria has been involved in local politics for years. Now she’s ready to take an even more active role in policy-making. 

The long-time Barrington resident and East Providence native recently won the District 32 seat in the Rhode Island Senate. Lauria, a Democrat, defeated Republican candidate and fellow Barrington resident Rhonda Holmes in the election. Lauria received 62 percent of the votes (8,218 votes) while Holmes received 37.8 percent (5,017 votes). The District 32 seat covers Barrington and sections of East Providence and Bristol. 

Lauria has been heavily involved in local politics for years. She has served as chair of the Barrington Democratic Town Committee and helped other candidates with their campaigns. But this year was the first time she herself ran for office. 

“I’ve been around Barrington politics for a while,” Lauria said, adding that she felt good about her chances heading into the election. 

Lauria, a primary care nurse practitioner, spent a lot of time during her campaign discussing issues that matter deeply to her — women’s reproductive rights, common sense gun reform, and climate change. She has also worked on those issues (and others) as an advocate at the Rhode Island Statehouse. 

During a recent interview, the first-year senator said she was eager to continue her work, but now in a new role. 

“I want to work on making healthcare more accessible and more affordable,” she said, adding that she is also focused on affordable housing, the environment, and education.

“I really want to learn about how those (issues) all intersect,” Lauria said. “…Now I’m really ready to get neck-high in policy.”

Lauria said she received a lot of support from her family during her campaign. Her daughter Maddie, a third-year student at Emerson College, handled the bulk of her social media presence and also pitched in with graphics work and some of her communications. Lauria said her husband, David, and son, Jacob, were also very supportive and helpful.

Lauria, who has worked as an advocate at the Statehouse for a number of years, said she is excited to get to work in the RI General Assembly.