Cassar vs. Holmes — both say state politics need improvement

In race for District 66 seat, candidates share positions on abortion, safe schools, more

Posted 10/23/18

Liana Cassar and Rhonda Holmes spent the first half of their debate last week discussing abortion.

Ms. Holmes, a Republican, said she was pro-life and could not support the reproductive health …

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Cassar vs. Holmes — both say state politics need improvement

In race for District 66 seat, candidates share positions on abortion, safe schools, more

Posted

Liana Cassar and Rhonda Holmes spent the first half of their debate last week discussing abortion.

Ms. Holmes, a Republican, said she was pro-life and could not support the reproductive health care act that was proposed in the general assembly. Ms. Holmes said most Rhode Islanders do not support late-term abortions. 

"I cannot support that legislation," she said.

Ms. Cassar, a Democrat who defeated John Chung in the early primary, said that she would support that act, and later said she supported the rights provided under Roe v. Wade. 

When asked if she believed women's rights issues were relevant in her district, Ms. Cassar replied "Yes, absolutely." 

Ms. Holmes said she supported bringing in resource officers in more local schools, in an effort to make them safer, but Ms. Cassar did not agree. In fact, she said people need to stop thinking that more armed individuals inside local schools will make them safer. 

The conversation later turned to the general assembly and specifically what could be done to curtail last-minute voting at the Statehouse. Ms. Holmes said Rhode Island was known for its corruption, and that legislators need to sit down and work on a plan that allows for better transparency. 

Ms. Cassar added that a lot of people believe the process at the Statehouse is broken, and change is needed. 

When asked what accomplishments they were most proud of (aside from their families), Ms. Cassar said it was her successful campaign in the primary. Ms. Holmes said she was most proud of earning her license to work as a mental health therapist. 

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A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.