LOCAL

Andrew Kelly becomes second member of Portsmouth Town Council to run for state Senate

Zane Wolfang
Newport Daily News

PORTSMOUTH — Andrew Kelly, currently serving his second term as an elected member of the Town Council, announced Monday his candidacy for the District 11 state Senate seat currently held by James Seveney, who will not seek reelection.

District 11 was adjusted by the state’s recently passed redistricting legislation to remove a section of North Tiverton and include only Portsmouth and the southern end of Bristol. North Tiverton is now a part of District 10.

In addition to his position on the Town Council, Kelly, running as an Independent, previously served as an elected member of the School Committee for six years. He also indicated in a press release his service on Town Council-appointed committees, including the Economic Development Committee, the Glen Manor House Authority, the Elmhurst Re-use Committee and the Charter Review Committee.

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“During my years of service, I have championed high-quality public education, improved roads and infrastructure and preservation of our environment," Kelly said in the press release announcing his candidacy. "We are facing difficult economic challenges, and I would like to help foster small businesses and job creation. I will always stand up for the rights of women, workers and all Rhode Islanders.”

Andrew Kelly.

Kelly, a Portsmouth High School and Salve Regina University graduate who works for the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, stated in the press release his family has multi-generational roots in Portsmouth. 

He is a parishioner of Saint Barnabas Roman Catholic Church and serves on the Portsmouth Community Theater’s board of directors.

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"I am running for state Senate because I can effectively represent the people of Portsmouth and Bristol," Kelly said in the release. "There are key legislation and reforms that should be put in place and I am willing to do what needs to be done to help my constituents."

Kelly is the second member of the Portsmouth Town Council to seek the District 11 seat after Vice President Linda Ujifusa announced her candidacy in mid-June. Local attorney Matt Chappell also intends to run. All three are Democrats.