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“I am committed to championing equitable opportunities for Pawtucket’s working people at the State House, ensuring we build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient Rhode Island where every voice is heard.”
Together, We Can Build a Fairer Future for All Rhode Islanders
I’m running for reelection to House District 61 because I want to make sure everyone in our community has a fair shot at success. As the child of immigrants, I know how important it is to support and invest in our communities. We need leaders who will focus on creating opportunities and driving positive change for everyone. Let’s work together to build a better future for all Rhode Islanders.
BACKGROUND
Dear Neighbor,
As a longtime resident of Pawtucket and your current State Representative, I want to share my story and the reasons I’m running for re-election. I grew up in an immigrant family that worked tirelessly to give their children a better future. My journey began with a job at the McDonald’s on Lonsdale Avenue, and in 2018, my mother’s tears of joy at my law school graduation marked a significant milestone in our family’s story.
I’m running for re-election in District 61 because I am dedicated to fighting for working families who are facing tougher challenges than ever. I believe in our capacity to drive positive change that uplifts every member of our community. Everyone, regardless of their background or economic status, deserves not just to survive, but to thrive. To achieve this, we must empower, support, and invest in our communities.
In the past year, I successfully sponsored a law to ensure that domestic workers are paid minimum wage, a crucial step toward fair treatment for all workers. I also passed a law to address the housing crisis by streamlining the financial guarantees required for developers on public projects. This builds on my 2023 work promoting transit-oriented development near key transit hubs like the Pawtucket/Central Falls train station, positioning Pawtucket to benefit from additional funding and new opportunities.
Moreover, I’ve worked to protect homeowners facing foreclosure, ensure bail money is returned, and secure significant funding increases for Pawtucket public schools, especially for multilingual learners and special education students.
This year, I also championed changes that have been especially appreciated by our retired residents, including cost of living adjustments for retirees, expanded tax benefits for Social Security and retirement income, and a $250 child tax credit to support families with children. These efforts help keep more money in people’s pockets and address important needs in our community.
Photo Credit: Ryan T. Conaty, Ryan T. Conaty Photography
Moving forward, I’m committed to focusing on economic policies that will help raise wages and support local businesses struggling to stay afloat. I also want to build on our recent progress by making further improvements to our schools and enhancing professional development opportunities for teachers, because our teachers and students deserve to work and learn in safe, 21st-century learning spaces. As a product of Rhode Island's public schools—Shea High School, CCRI, and RI College—I know firsthand the difference that a strong education can make. That’s why I am dedicated to ensuring that every student in our community has access to the quality education they deserve.
The future of Rhode Island hinges on electing leaders who prioritize our state’s prosperity and propel our communities forward. As your representative, I will continue to fight for you, focusing on ensuring access to affordable healthcare, fair wages, and safe neighborhoods. I’m committed to making sure our government serves all people with respect and fairness.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions. Please reach out to me at Leonela@LeonelaFelix.com or 401-369-5364 (cell). I respectfully ask for your vote in the September 10th Democratic primary.
In Community,
Leonela “Leo” Felix