Days after Rep. Dennis Canario announced his retirement, Tiverton town councilman John Edwards has announced that he will run for the District 71 House of Representatives seat.  Mr. Edwards is a twice-elected town councilor in Tiverton, serving one term as the vice chairman.

"I have a great admiration for Representative Canario and what he was able to accomplish in his time at the State House," Mr. Edwards said.  "I would like to follow Representative Canario’s lead and work tirelessly for the voters in Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton to ensure their voices are heard at the state level."

Mr. Edwards said that his background in finance will be important as the state budget is facing an $800 million deficit because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said his service with business and community organizations has also prepared him to be a “strong, new voice at the State House.” 

He has been a member of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, a board member for the Tiverton Waste Water District, a volunteer for Child and Family Services of Newport County, and a member of the United Way Youth Leadership Council.

"If the voters of Tiverton, Portsmouth and Little Compton trust me with their vote, I will go to the State House and be a strong voice to kickstart our economy and continue to improve our health care and education systems," said Mr. Edwards.  "I believe that we need to keep property taxes low, phase out the car tax completely and shore up our municipal pension systems. Fiscal responsibility is key."

Mr, Edwards graduated from Tiverton High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Assumption College with a BA in Business Management and a minor in Political Science. He is the Regional Sales Director in the Northeast for PCS Retirement, the nation's third largest independent retirement plan recordkeeper, headquartered in Philadelphia.

He lives in Tiverton with his wife Brittany Rapoza Edwards and daughter Amelia.  In his spare time, he said he enjoys community service along with golf, skiing and sailing.  

Mr. Edwards encourages voters to connect with him directly by phone 401-862-3753, - john.edwards.v@gm , email  john.edwards.v@gmail.com or on Facebook @john.edwards.rep71