What is it that separates the candidates — Susannah Holloway and Pam Lauria — for the District 32 seat in the Rhode Island Senate?

According to both candidates, there are plenty of differences between them when it comes to the issues. The two Democrats are poised to face off in the primary next month. 

“I think there are two big issues that she and I diverge on,” Holloway said. “One is the environment.”

Holloway said she has received the Climate Action Rhode Island endorsement, which requires that people “show evidence of serious action” for the environment. She said she also built a large grassroots effort to oppose the high heat incinerator that had been planned in South Providence. 

“We can all have concerns and thoughts and ideas and we can talk about them, but what separates me from her (Lauria), is that I have taken serious action,” Holloway said. “She has been happy to accept the endorsement from Cindy Coyne and Cindy Coyne was the singular most effective advocate to ram through the high heat incinerator in South Providence.”

Lauria said her work experience as a healthcare provider separated her from Holloway. Lauria said there are very few legislators at the Statehouse with backgrounds in healthcare. She said that experience would be very important during the law-making process. 

Lauria also said policy-wise, she supported funding the Barrington School budget. She said Holloway did not.

“She (Holloway) did vote to remove half a million dollars from the budget,” Lauria said, referring to Holloway’s COA vote to reduce the school department’s proposed budget increase. “I don’t think we should be trying to cut their funding…”

Holloway said her opponent has earned the endorsement of Cindy Coyne, who has “shown her loyalty to the Senate president.” 

Holloway said that being a state legislator is a balance between following the will of the constituents and your conscience.

“Being loyal to the party machine should not be the major guide,” Holloway said. “I worry that she is accepting the mantle of Cindy Coyne… that she is on the path for us to have more of the same that we got from Cindy Coyne. And it is easy to say that you are pro-choice and against gun violence and want to ban assault rifles and safe gun storage. Talk is cheap. But in order to advocate for these positions… to do that effectively, you’ve got to be an independent voice for your community. You can’t serve two masters.”