To the editor:

This year, your primary election vote is the most impactful way to elect leaders who will fight for and deliver the change Rhode Island urgently needs.

That’s why I hope you’ll join me in supporting Xay (pronounced “Sigh”, full name on the ballot: Xaykham Rexford Khamsyvoravong) for Lieutenant Governor.

Rhode Islanders are facing some big challenges, made all the more difficult by the chaos in Washington sown by Donald Trump. My work as Attorney General has shown that we can push back – and win – when we have tough, competent leaders. I’ve seen Xay demonstrate that type of leadership during his public service, as the Mayor of Newport and leading Providence Water, our state’s largest drinking water utility.

Xay is the only candidate for Lieutenant Governor focused on fixing RI’s primary care crisis. Health care is an issue I’ve worked extensively on as Attorney General, and Xay’s proven he is tough and smart enough to get our health care system to deliver accessible care for Rhode Islanders: In Newport, he stood up to health care executives and led the fight to keep the Birthing Center at Newport Hospital open for families across Newport County. As Lieutenant Governor I’m confident he’ll help ensure every family in RI has access to quality health care, and will fight back against the impacts of Trump’s cuts to Medicaid.

When it comes to our natural environment, Xay has a strong track record of implementing real solutions to our climate and energy crisis. Notably, Xay moves beyond policymaking and studies and to actually getting projects built - an important step to building public faith in government’s ability to do something about rising costs for which clean energy projects are unfairly scapegoated. From building the first municipal Resiliency and Sustainability Department in Newport, to transitioning Providence Water over to solar power, he’s demonstrated the executive drive to get things done.

Most importantly, this is an office that, as we have seen, could very well end up having to step in as Governor. Xay is the only candidate with executive experience, not only in government, but also in the private sector as a successful businessman. He’s the kind of leader we need for Rhode Island families to see a future where they can access the housing, health care, education, and a fighting chance at the American Dream that they deserve within the Ocean State.

Xay’s my guy for Lieutenant Governor. On Wednesday, September 9, I hope you’ll help me elect him so we can push our state forward.

Peter Neronha
Attorney General of Rhode Island