Rhode Island SEIU State Council Proudly Endorses Dominick Ruggerio and a Slate of Champions for Working Families in the Primary Election

15 August 2024

Providence: Today, Rhode Island SEIU State Council, which is composed of four union locals in Rhode Island, Locals 1199NE, 32BJ, 580 and 401, announced its Primary Election endorsement of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and a number of other candidates who have proven themselves as champions for working Rhode Islanders.

Here is a full list of the candidates Rhode Island SEIU State Council is endorsing in the primary election:

Dominick Ruggerio, Senate President
Grace Diaz, House District 11
Val Lawson, Senate District 14
Brandon Potter, House District 16
Giona Picheco, House District 14
Cherie Cruz, House District 58
Kelsey Coletta, House District 42
Brian Thompson, Senate District 20
Jenni Furtado, House District 64

Dominick Ruggerio has never stopped fighting for families, seniors and working people during his long career in the Rhode Island Senate. He has led the way to protect our state’s most vulnerable citizens, supporting the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, passing three new laws this year safeguarding against nursing home financial exploitation and abuse, created a $5 million fund to tackle the opioid crisis, and fought to secure funding for the critical services of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. We are proud to offer him our continued support as he continues this vital work on behalf of all Rhode Islanders.

Jesse Martin, Executive Vice President of SEIU 1199 New England and President of the Rhode Island SEIU State Council.

Each day, the hardworking members of SEIU 580 at DHS and DCYF provide care and services to Rhode Island´s most vulnerable citizens including children, families, seniors and people with disabilities. That’s why we are honored to endorse a slate of champions for working people who will fight to ensure thousands of Rhode Islanders have access to safe homes, long term support services and life-saving healthcare while supporting the workforce who make it possible every day.

Matt Gunnip, President of SEIU Local 580

Rhode Island SEIU State Council represents approximately 8,500 workers across the state, including healthcare, Department of Children, Youth and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, Janitorial, Family Child Care, Department of Labor and Training, Security, Workforce Development and more. They join the nearly 1.9 million workers in over 100 occupations in the United States and Canada that comprise the Service Employees International Union.