Republican Rhonda Holmes and Democrat Pamela Lauria faced off at the Senate District 32 Candidates Forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the East Bay Media Group, and moderated by Ethan Hartley, editor of the Bristol Phoenix and Warren Times-Gazette, last Thursday night. Oct. 6.

At times, it seemed like the two candidates had more similarities than differences. Both women are residents of Barrington, and both work in the healthcare field: Holmes is a licensed mental health counselor, and Lauria is a primary care nurse practitioner.

Both cited the toll of the COVID pandemic as contributing to their desire to serve. Holmes said she would be a strong advocate for justice, and that her skill at listening to the concerns of others would serve her community well were she elected.

Lauria, too, said that her job gave her a first-hand glimpse at how the community has suffered during the pandemic. In addition to her work, she has been active advocating for common sense gun reform, reproductive rights, and climate resiliency.

Holmes cited the decline of mental health, and the climbing suicide rate as among her chief concerns, along with affordability and support for small businesses.

Measured praise for State’s response to COVID
Affordability was a concern for Lauria as well. Asked how the state responded to help businesses during the pandemic, both candidates offered measured praise.

Lauria said it was important for government to be on the ground to take action and suggested for the most part, it was there. “When businesses needed heaters, loans, etc., the government did a great job; they made rules and regulations as easy as possible,” she said, though she suggested that state government courted and assisted large businesses while they need to focus more on the small.

Holmes agreed. “Small businesses are 98% of our economy, their success is essential,” she said, suggesting we change our state sales tax to match the 6.25% charged in Massachusetts. She also suggested that Rhode Island’s reputation for onerous, anti-business regulations were chilling growth.

Abortion access, substance abuse
Asked if they would support legislation that mandates state coverage of the cost of abortion for medicaid recipients and state employees, the two candidates diverged. “This is an important issue; it’s not about access,” said Holmes. “Should taxpayers pay? I would oppose that.”

“I believe abortion is health care,” said Lauria. “Not paying for abortion is not paying for health care. It’s up to the woman to decide if that’s the health care she needs.”

Asked about the state’s approach to to epidemic of substance abuse disorder, Holmes suggested that Rhode Island has a lot of room to grow. She advocates treating and supporting the whole family.

Lauria noted that was another issue of access. “As a primary care provider, I can only take treatment so far…there’s limited capacity, and almost no residential programs locally. We need 30 and 90 day residential programs for long-term sustained recovery.”

Gun control, climate change
As a former trauma nurse and active gun control advocate, Lauria was clear that we need to get guns off the street.

Holmes would advocate stiffening penalties for violent offenders. For Lauria, that’s not enough. “Law enforcement can’t stop an AR-15, or prevent someone who had never committed crime from accessing a gun, or prevent a child finding a gun,” she said. “We know what works. We don’t have to live like this is a choice.”

Holmes emphasized the importance of dealing with the mental health issues behind gun violence, while Lauria asserted that until we deal with access to guns, we won’t be able to stop gun violence.

On the issue of sea level rise, Holmes said that while she believes in environmental stewardship she is also a realist, and believes that Rhode Island’s plan to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2033 is unrealistic. “It will impact struggling families and small businesses,” she said. “I think of it as an equity issue. It will affect marginalized communities disproportionately.”

“We can definitely do this,” said Lauria, in disagreement. “We got to the moon in nine years. This is happening now.”

School curriculum and housing affordability
Asked about how much influence parents should have over public school curriculum, Lauria was clear that she thinks parents should be engaged, but not driving the bus. “I’m dismayed by this lack of trust in teachers,” she said. “There is this false narrative that children are being indoctrinated.”

“I think parents should have access and transparency,” said Holmes, stopping short of suggesting that she would advocate for parental control, except for in certain cases where content might be sensitive.

Affordability, which is shaping up to be a hot-button issue in about every state and local race this election, is an undeniable need, said both candidates. “Everyone deserves safe, warm affordable housing,” said Lauria. “We can be creative when we need to.”

“This issue needs thoughtfulness and consideration,” said Holmes. “We need to start from scratch,” she said, citing the fact that there are 26 housing authorities in Rhode Island. “The bigger the bureaucracy, the higher the cost.”

In closing, Lauria cited housing, gun laws, the environment and education among her top priorities; Holmes mentioned education fiscal reform, and government transparency. “There is a problem with eroding faith in government, and the supermajority in this state makes in worse,” she said. “I want to be part of the solution.”