Letter: Rep. Malik's views are out of step with community

Posted 6/29/16

To the editor:

My name is Jason Knight and I am a candidate in the Democratic primary for state representative. I am challenging the incumbent, Jan Malik, for the seat. I’m writing in …

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Letter: Rep. Malik's views are out of step with community

Posted

To the editor:

My name is Jason Knight and I am a candidate in the Democratic primary for state representative. I am challenging the incumbent, Jan Malik, for the seat. I’m writing in response to Rep. Malik’s letter to the editor that was published in the Barrington Times and Warren Times-Gazette last week.

The upcoming primary election presents the Democratic and independent voters of Warren and Barrington with a real and meaningful choice of candidates. I stand for common sense progressive solutions while Mr. Malik holds a number of conservative viewpoints that are out of step with the values of our community.

Mr. Malik opposed marriage equality, has sponsored anti-choice fetal heartbeat legislation, and enjoyed an A-plus or 100 percent rating from the NRA from 2000 to 2010. The gun issue is of particular concern in the wake of Orlando. We need common sense gun regulations to prevent a similar episode in our community. Unfortunately, the NRA’s “solution” to our tragic epidemic of gun violence is to loosen gun regulations and to put firearms in the hands of even more people. Despite this, Mr. Malik has never opposed or repudiated their extremist views.

In contrast, I support real Democratic values that are rooted in common sense and decency. We need clean government that works for everybody, not the connected few. We need new ideas on the economy so we don't have another 38 Studios fiasco. And I support common sense firearm regulations.

Finally, Mr. Malik suggested that I wasn't sincere in my desire to rid our society of gun violence because I am a criminal defense lawyer. I have served as a prosecutor in the attorney general’s office and as a defense lawyer. I know our justice system needs both both prosecutors and defenders to ensure a fair system for everyone. It is misleading to suggest that I condone the actions of any person who has unlawfully resorted to violence.

The Democratic primary is Sept. 13, 2016. Please remember to vote.

Jason Knight

Barrington

Mr. Knight is running against Rep. Malik in the Democratic primary for the District 67 seat in the RI House of Representatives.

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