Jennifer Boylan has been a regular fixture at the RI Statehouse for about a decade, but starting soon, her role there will be different. 

Boylan, a Barrington resident, has served as a volunteer for gun control or gun sense advocate groups. She is a member of Moms Demand Action and has also worked at the statehouse on other issues including women’s reproductive rights. 

On Tuesday night, Nov. 8, Boylan won the race for the District 66 seat in the RI House of Representatives. She defeated Independent candidate Sam Read. 

Boylan, a Democrat, received 3,555 votes (57.3 percent), while Read received 2,616 (42.2 percent).

“It feels really good,” Boylan said. “I am thrilled that I won.”

Boylan said she is looking forward to getting back to the Statehouse and continuing to work on gun control measures. 

“We left two gun bills … that didn’t move,” she said. “That would be a top priority for me.”

Boylan said that as a lawmaker she will focus on climate change issues.

“All things climate change keep me up at night,” Boylan said. “It’s totally true… I just can’t wait to get to work on it.”

During her campaign, Boylan earned endorsements from the Sierra Club, Climate Action Rhode Island, and Clean Water Action. Barrington resident and community environmentalist Tim Faulkner also voiced his support for Boylan, sharing a comment on her website.

“Jennifer has been an environmental champion in the community for many years,” Faulkner said. “She served as a leader on the School District's Green Team promoting initiatives like composting, waste minimization, and safe athletic fields. She advocated for Barrington's plastic bag ban and for protecting local farmland and public open space.”

Boylan said she also plans to work on suicide prevention modifications that can be made to the state’s five largest bridges. She said there is money available to make Rhode Island’s bridges safer.

“I feel like we need to prioritize that,” Boylan said. “We need implementation pronto…”

Boylan said she worked hard during the summer months and early fall to knock on residents’ doors and introduce herself to voters. 

When asked what issues residents spoke to her about, Boylan said “I heard people are really afraid of gun violence. I heard that a lot.” 

Boylan also said women spoke to her about Roe vs. Wade falling and reproductive rights. In addition, some people shared their concerns about the economy and affordable housing. 

“In the fall, I hit my stride, hit my groove. I enjoyed walking and talking to people, meeting people and having good conversations,” she said.