MEET THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES
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STATE REPRESENTATIVES
STATE SENATE
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SAMUEL A. AZZINARO
REPRESENTATIVE
District 37
incumbent
BRIAN PATRICK KENNEDY
REPRESENTATIVE
District 38
incumbent
VICTORIA GU
SENATOR
District 38
incumbent
TOWN COUNCIL
CHRIS
DUHAMEL
ALEX
HEALY
JAMES
NICHOLAS
MIKE
NIEMEYER
MARY SCIALABBA
incumbent
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ANGELA
GOETHALS
TIMOTHY
KILLAM
PETER L.
NERO
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REPRESENTATIVE SAMUEL A. AZZINARO
District 37, Incumbent
Samuel A. Azzinaro (D) has served the residents of District 37 in Westerly since first being elected in November 2008. He is the chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and also serves as a member of the House Health and Human Services Committee, the House Rules Committee and the House Special Legislation Committee.
During the 2021 legislative session, Chairman Azzinaro continued to focus on the health and well-being of Rhode Island’s veterans. He sponsored a new law allowing the director of Veterans' Services to appoint an administrator for the RI Veterans’ Home who is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces. He was also the sponsor of another new law which allows business vehicles which are owned by a veteran entity, and is registered and authorized to conduct business in the state of Rhode Island, to register such business vehicles with veteran plates.
He chaired a commission which led to the 2020 dedication and unveiling of a new memorial to the nine Rhode Island Marines who were killed in the 1983 Beirut bombing attack. The memorial is located along the Providence River.
In 2019, he was also honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars with the group’s Legislative Award due to his consistent and tireless advocacy for veterans’ issues at the State House.
He was also instrumental in creating the Westerly Higher Education and Job Skills Center. He helped to develop the concept for the center, obtain the funding, and secured partnerships with colleges and businesses, which is training individuals in high skilled manufacturing jobs.
Representative Azzinaro previously served for 12 years on the Westerly Town Council, including four years as its President.
He served in the National Guard for four years, and was a member of the Army Reserve for four years, including two years of active duty. He was a Staff Sergeant E6.
Representative Azzinaro was born in 1943. He is a retired textile worker, business owner and carpenter, and resides in Westerly with his wife, Carol. They have five children, 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
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Brian Patrick Kennedy is a Westerly resident who has been honored to serve the people in the 38th District for 36-years in the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He is Speaker Pro Tempore of the House, the Dean of the House and the past Chairman of the House Committee on Corporations. Brian is a member of the House Rules Committee, the House Committee on State Government and Elections and the House Committee on Innovation, Internet and Technology.
Brian is the owner of Kennedy Realty & Appraisal in Ashaway. He was educated in the Chariho Regional School district and received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major from Providence College. Brian is an active member of many state and local community organizations including the Cox Charitable Foundation. At the national level, Brian serves as the President of the National Conference of State Legislatures, the premiere bi-partisan organization and the laboratory of democracy for state legislators and legislative staff.
Brian was a champion in the phase-out of the motor vehicle excise tax which has helped save Westerly residents local property tax. In addition, Brian sponsored legislation that was enacted into law that allowed Westerly to increase the property tax exemptions for veterans and widows of veterans, while increasing the holdings of the Westerly Public Library.
Brian has been the sponsor of numerous consumer protection laws including consumer privacy of personal information, tighter regulation of credit reporting agencies and placing consumer protections on non-regulated power suppliers to protect RI residents who choose an alternative electricity supplier. He authored the law that mandates that gift cards and gift certificates cannot have an expiration date in RI and also prevents businesses from charging monthly fees to deplete the value of the gift card.
Brian sponsored the law to allow telemedicine in the State to provide RI citizens with greater access to healthcare providers, which was utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic. Brian also authored the Pharmacy Freedom of Choice law that allows consumer to choose the pharmacy they want to fill their prescriptions. He sponsored the law that limits the co-pay on insulin to $40 and also authored the law to extend Medicare supplement insurance policies to those under age 65. In 2024, the Rhode Island State Nurses Association honored Brian with the President’s Award for leading a 2023 study commission that resulted in his sponsorship of and the passage of the Nurse Licensure Compact Act by the General Assembly.
During his time of service, he has authored numerous insurance laws that benefit our military, homeowners and the business community, including providing consumers with plain and simple disclosure of homeowner insurance deductibles for storm-related damage. Brian is a strong advocate for the people in his legislative district. Real Action, Real Results and Always Fighting on YOUR Behalf.
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PATRICK KENNEDY
District 38, Incumbent
Victoria Gu is a Democrat representing District 38 (Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) in the Rhode Island Senate.
Sen. Gu was elected to the Senate in November 2022. She has a lengthy history of community service and advocacy and previously served as chair of Charlestown's Climate Resiliency Commission.
In her first term in the Senate, she helped pass the RI shoreline access law in 2023; passed her bill, the Act on Coasts, to prepare for sea level rise and climate change; and advocated for reforming the Coastal Resources Management Council.
Senator Gu also successfully advocated for healthcare funding (doubling Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services in order to keep local providers financially solvent), mental health funding (enabling Medicaid reimbursement for school social workers and school psychologists), and housing affordability (improving short-term rental regulation and enabling more homeowners to have accessory dwelling units, also called “in-law units”).
The daughter of immigrants from China, Sen. Gu grew up in South Kingstown. She is a graduate of South Kingstown High School and Harvard University. She works as a software engineer and data analyst, and now resides in Westerly.
Sen. Gu can be reached at (401) 388-0696 and sen-gu@rilegislature.gov.
SENATOR VICTORIA GU
District 38, Incumbent
Chris Duhamel is a vice president of DiPrete Engineering and has been a professional engineer and land surveyor for 40 years. He and his wife of 42 years, Aggie, have four children and eleven grandchildren. Chris attends St. Pius X Church and is an adjunct professor at URI. He is a past member of the Westerly Planning Board for 13 years and currently volunteers as a member of the State of RI Professional Engineering Board of Registration. Also, he is a former volunteer for Westerly Pee Wee Football and Westerly National Little League, serving as President.
Chris has served on the Town Council for 18 years. Due to his expertise as an environmental engineer, he served on the building committees which constructed Westerly Middle School and renovated Westerly High School. In addition, he chaired the building committee for the Westerly Department of Public Works highway garage, salt sheds and recycling area. He was a support for Stand Up for Animals in construction of the Westerly Animal Shelter. After the devastating 2010 flood and Super Storm Sandy, he served on subcommittees to rebuild both the Westerly Town Beach pavilion and Westerly’s North End. He helped secure funding for purchase of the Bradford preserve open space. Chris served on the public works committee which provided for repair of the water department infrastructure with the construction of the 1 MG Winnapaug Water Tank, a 500 mgd Bradford public well, a 20-inch water main from White Rock wells, and the drinking water purification system. Over the terms of service, he worked to prioritize road and utility infrastructure improvements without increasing taxes.
Chris believes that Westerly is an incredible place to live and raise a family. He recognizes that the spirit of volunteerism in our community is unique. Chris knows it is important to protect our town and school children and support our future generations by providing responsible government. Given the challenges to Westerly to rebuild our sewer treatment plant, repair our roads, and to build affordable housing, the Town Council will need Chris’s experience as an environmental engineer to solve problems.
CHRIS DUHAMEL
Town Council
Alexandra Healy, a lifelong Rhode Islander, moved to Bradford in 2016 with her husband and their sons, seeking a community that offers the best of both worlds: proximity to the beautiful coast and the tranquility of preserved woods. Alex now works in the finance department for the Town of Hopkinton, where she applies her expertise in budgeting and municipal operations to support effective and responsible financial management. Previously, she worked in the planning department, gaining a comprehensive understanding of both community development and local government processes. Alex is deeply rooted in the community and committed to making Westerly a place where both businesses and residents can thrive.
Deeply committed to her community, Alex actively volunteers at the Mental Health Resource Center and participates in committees for low and moderate-income housing and an ADA multi-generational park in Bradford. She has organized local health events and supported grassroots programs, neighborhood initiatives, food pantries, and programs aiding the unhoused, demonstrating a strong dedication to community care.
Alex is passionate about supporting small local businesses and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. She is dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment that embraces diversity and ensures everyone feels valued and heard. Alex also champions transparency, respect, and order in local government, striving to cultivate a culture of civility and structure where every voice is respected.
Running for the Westerly Town Council for the first time, Alex aims to bring her dedication and experience to serve the Westerly community. She is focused on sustainable development, enhancing local businesses, and ensuring Westerly remains a great place to live and raise a family. Alex is committed to supporting and expanding access to mental health services and resources, and working collaboratively to address the diverse housing needs of Westerly. She believes that her commitment and experience will help create a brighter and more inclusive future for the entire community.
ALEX HEALY
Town Council
James Nicholas was born at Westerly Hospital. He has been a Westerly resident since returning to the area after completing a B.A. in Business Management & Hospitality at Endicott College in 2006. He is currently the owner of St. Clair Annex Restaurant, a fourth-generation family-owned business, which has operated continually in Westerly since 1887.
In addition to operating a local business, James volunteers as a Lieutenant on the Watch Hill Fire Department, where his is approaching a decade of service. He also serves on the Pine Point School board of trustees, where he chairs the Buildings and Grounds Committee. James prides himself on being well informed, honest, respectful, diligent, and someone who focuses on solving real problems.
James' hope in serving Westerly is to see our Town continue to be a place where parents can raise their families safely, affordably, and prosperously for generations to come.
JAMES NICHOLAS
Town Council
Michael Niemeyer is a husband, father of three and longtime resident of Westerly who is committed to ensuring that Westerly's future is bright. His career in grants administration has been centered on public service, and he brings that same commitment to his candidacy for the Westerly Town Council.
Michael holds a degree in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo. He recently served as Secretary on the Westerly Town Council’s Advisory Charter Revision Commission, where he proposed an amendment to make it easier for voters to recall town councilors.
MIKE NIEMEYER
Town Council
Hello, Westerly! My name is Mary Scialabba, and I am proud to call this beautiful town my home for nearly two decades. As someone deeply invested in our community, I am honored to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Westerly Town Council.
I dedicate my time to being involved in various aspects of our town. I value the importance of the health and wellness of our neighbors and strive to be the neighbor and friend that those know they can count on. I stay up to date on certificate programs such as Suicide Prevention training to ensure I can provide the best possible support to the community.
Mental health advocacy has been a driving force in my community involvement during my term. I spearheaded the opening of Westerly’s first mental health resource center and I am happy to announce our first-year anniversary is upon us. Together with Chief Gingerella, Westerly Chief of Police, we reopened the substation in the North End to provide additional space for our Mental Health Professionals to assist Westerly. Together with local non-profits and community volunteers we are committed to bring resources to all of our neighbors.
Known for my compassion and dedication to every Westerly resident, I advocate for transparency in our town government. I believe that everyone deserves a voice. I am committed to justice and take on challenges with a sense of responsibility to uphold the best for our town. I believe in the beauty of Westerly and its potential as a place for families and our workforce to thrive. With all this in mind, I am thrilled to seek re-election to the Westerly Town Council. I am eager to continue serving our community and working towards a brighter future for Westerly.
I hold multiple undergraduate degrees from Johnson and Wales University in Providence and a Master's Degree in Finance from Sacred Heart University. I also have my CNA license and certificates in Mental Health Suicide Prevention. I have been the President of the Crossroads Condominium Association since 2012 and an active member of The Westerly Armory, The Westerly Historical Society, and The Greater North End Community Development, Inc. I am a member of Christ Episcopal Church and I also started a neighborhood watch with two other condominium associations near me. My engagement extends to statewide initiatives like the Rhode Island Parity Initiative, where I work closely with the State Insurance Commission for Mental Health. Previously, I contributed to local governance through my roles on The Joint Committee Plastics Utilization and Commerce, the Economic Development Committee and the Health and Wellness Committee for the Town of Westerly. The last few years I have held many town halls regarding mental health education. I will continue to fight for proper health (mental), and wellness (physical) for all.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to the journey ahead!
MARY SCIALABBA
Town Council, Incumbent
Angela Goethals was born and raised in NYC by a single mother (with the help of her Nana.) She and her younger sister witnessed first-hand the dedication and resilience required to balance work and family life. As a 6-year-old she fell in love with theatre, watching the summer Shakespeare productions on which her mother worked behind the scenes.
Angela attended NYC public schools including New York’s prestigious Stuyvesant High School, all while acting professionally on Broadway and in film and television. She graduated with honors from Vassar College with a degree in French and shortly thereafter met the love of her life (now husband of almost 20 years), Russell Soder (a native of Warwick), when they acted together in an off-Broadway play.
Settled in Westerly since 2017 when their oldest started Kindergarten at State Street School, Angela has been active in both the State Street PTO and on the School Improvement Team as well as having proudly served on the Health and Wellness Subcommittee for the last several years.
She currently has a WMS rising 7th grader, SSS rising 3rd grader and our sweet Covid baby (born at South County Hospital in April 2020) who thinks he goes to all the schools but actually attends the amazing Babcock Inclusionary Preschool.
Angela, as an actor/audiobook narrator/artist, is a creature of community, of collaboration, of problem solving, curiosity and truthful communication. She has been humbled and inspired by her experiences teaching English to French high school students during college and teaching acting at the Portside Arts Center in Philly from 2014-2015. Most recently she hosts ESL classes over Zoom to students in Ukraine.
Angela comes from a lineage of educators on her mother’s side which has instilled a deep respect for teachers (Westerly truly has some of the best). And, as a mom of three current WPS kiddos, she is real-time, all in, heart-centered and hopeful.
ANGELA GOETHALS
School Committee
Timothy C Killam was born in Westerly and raised in Noank & Stonington, CT. Tim moved back to Westerly with his family in 2005. He has three sons, one 2022 graduate of Westerly High School, an incoming Junior at Westerly High School and a Second Grade Student at Dunn's Corners School. He entered the workforce in the marine industry out of high school and attended trade school courses while working full time.
Today Tim is a partner of Dockside Electronics in Mystic, CT, a highly successful marine electronics business. Tim and his wife have been licensed DCYF Foster and Adoptive Parents. Special Education holds a special place in Tim's heart having two special education students. He has been the leader of the Westerly Special Education Local Advisory Committee (WSELAC) working hard to grow and support all special education services within Westerly Public Schools.
Tim was appointed to the Westerly School Committee in 2019 by the Town Council and in 2020 was elected Vice Chairman of the Westerly School Committee. Tim has served on multiple hiring committees for WPS along with serving as a member of the Building Subcommittee, working hard on a plan for renovations to our elementary schools. Running a small business has allowed Tim a deep understanding on budgets and responsible spending.
As a School Committee member, Tim supports expanding special education services, growing our CTE and arts programming as well as elementary schools staffing to target our ability to retain students from out of district placements and bringing students to our district as a top school system in Rhode Island to Attend. Tim lives in Bradford with his wife and three sons. In his free time, he enjoys camping and boating along with spending time with family and their three dogs.
TIMOTHY KILLAM
School Committee
Peter L. Nero- Invested in a career as a 47-year public educator. After beginning his teaching career in Stoughton, MA, he embarked on 34-year role as an educator in Cranston Public Schools. During that time, he served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and retired as superintendent emeritus, in 2012.
Peter also has extensive experience in curriculum writing. Upon leaving Cranston, he
became superintendent of North Stonington Public Schools, serving in that capacity for 10-years. Peter and his wife Linda, a retired dental assistant, moved to Westerly 12 years ago to be closer to his new position and, most importantly, the wonderful lifestyle the Town of Westerly has to offer. They have one son Michael, who resides in Duluth, GA, where he is in law enforcement and serves as a Deputy Sheriff in Gwinnett County.
