Next Tuesday, voters of Bristol and Warren will have the opportunity to vote in the District 68 State Representative special election. This is a civic duty and an opportunity that should not be taken lightly, as the result of this seemingly small local race has major ramifications.

Results of this race will affect the heart and soul of politics, both throughout the state as well as our very town. As a lifelong Bristolian and District 68 voter, I feel it is a duty to talk about the “Big Picture” of this race. Here are several important considerations that voters must keep in mind before casting their vote.

Tip 1: This race IS NOT a vote against Trump or national politics.

Last year, a “Blue Wave” swept over politics both state and nationally. Nationally, Democrats regained control of the House in D.C., in a rejection of President Trump.

Locally, Blue Democrat-leaning states became bluer, crystalizing Rhode Island with a new ideology: progressive American Socialism.

This ideology pushes a massive government intrusion in the economy, our wallets, and our own lives in a way that has not been seen before. So, despite your views on national political leaders, this ideology will only empower the government to control your lives further.

Secondly, of the four candidates in the race, two are independent candidates and one is an independent third-party. There is no Republican in the race. So therefore, voting against a D is not a vote for Trump, a Republican or anything that affected last fall’s election mindset.

Tip 2: This race affects what camp the eventual winner will align, and funding the district

After the General Assembly races of 2018, a new “Reform Caucus” was built. Primarily made up of extreme progressives, their goal has been to not only steal good government ideas (oftentimes from former Republican or Independent legislators) but be a thorn in the side to the current Speaker of the House — whose job is consensus-building with lawmakers statewide.

Will electing a state representative with that mindset make for good relations with House leadership? Can it help fund local projects?

Tip 3: This race started because of financial impropriety against Laufton Ascencao

After conducting an audit of his campaign, the state Board of Elections found Laufton Ascencao, the winning 2018 General Assembly candidate for District 68 who resigned before taking office, and who was Sierra Club chapter treasurer, spent $13,900 of the environmental group’s money on political causes. Most of that Sierra Club money ($9,300) went to his own campaign, with the remaining $4,600 going to rent and expenses for the Rhode Island Working Families Party, for which he was an organizer and lobbyist.

This special election is the only opportunity to stop special interests, and not simply vote against a person but a political machine.

Will Sousa Grapentine
Bristol