2022 Elections
Hello,
Now that the post-election dust has settled, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who turned out to polls this past November and supported my campaign for Rhode Island House District 33. Though we came up short, I am extremely encouraged by the support this amazing community showed me as a first-time candidate and even more hopeful about what that support means for the future.
While approximately 58% of the registered Independents and Republicans voted locally it was not enough to overcome an influx of Democrat voters fired up about abortion. Using this hot button issue, Democratic leadership successfully turned out their base, with over 70% registered democrats voting. By creating a frenzy around this one one issue, Dems were able to distract attention away from their own failures and, more importantly, from the real issues facing Rhode Island - jobs, the economy, education, and Constitutional rights.
That is why as the newly elected chair of the South Kingstown Republican party I will be laser-focused on getting Conservatives not only to register to vote, but also getting them to turn out to vote in 2024. We were so close to a victory in 2022. Imagine what would have happened if even a quarter of those Independents and Republicans who stayed on the sideline voted. While going door-to-door and talking with constituents last fall, many Conservatives expressed a belief their vote didn’t matter. I can assure you, this could not be farther from the truth, with many races - especially smaller down-ballot campaigns - coming down to just a few votes. Please, vote down ballot and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to vote for their local and state seats, especially in the next election.
While 2022 election did not have the results we had hoped, I am not done fighting. As I prepare to run again in 2024, I will be keeping a keen eye on bills being proposed at State House, particularly on how lawmakers spend, or fail to spend, millions of dollars in surplus Covid relief funds. With the new session just weeks old, I am sad, but not surprised, to report Democrats on Smith Hill have resumed efforts to chip away at our Constitutional rights.
As GOP Chair I will work to cultivate relationships with our neighbors and grow the town committee. We will be active in local and state meetings and notify the public about issues affecting our community. We also need your support, whether it is support at local meetings or sharing your views and concerns with elected officials. Send them a message that we are watching and paying close attention to their laws and spending decisions. Join me in this fight because together I truly believe we can make a difference. Even though I am not at the State House, yet, we all can still work to make our voices heard.
Thank you
Jessica Drew-Day
South Kingstown GOP Chair
