David Bennett for State Senate

More News from the Beacon

2008-09-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

From today's Warwick Beacon:

David Bennett claims he couldn’t get the attention of the politicians; so now he’s decided to try to become one.
Bennett, a nurse at Butler Hospital, claims he couldn’t get in touch with former State Senator John Revens when the issue of mandatory overtime for nurses was circulating in the Senate. And when the School Committee decided to close three elementary schools earlier this year, he said his, and the public’s, input mattered little.

Now, he’s trying to do something about it.

In a Democratic Primary for the District 31 State Senate Seat, Bennett will challenge Erin Lynch, a local attorney, for the right to face Republican Tom Madden in the General Election in November.

“I think working families need better representation. I think all of these career politicians we supposedly have serving us have overlooked working families,” said Bennett.

[...Bennett] said his goal is to improve health care and education without increasing taxes on seniors...Bennett considers himself an outsider in the race; Lynch has the endorsement of the Democratic Committee, but he believes he has a good chance to win.

“I’ve really been getting a good reception from the people who I hope will become my constituents. People genuinely seem to think it’s time for an average guy to take office,” said Bennett.

If you're like me and you think that it is time for the hard-working families of our city to have a strong voice at the state house, please vote Bennett for Senate this coming Tuesday, September 9th!

Providence Journal Article

2008-08-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

Today's write-up in the Providence Journal had this to say about my campaign:

One of the first things that Bennett likes to stress to people is that he is “not a politician.” He describes himself as a parent interested in education and a nurse who wants to see more Rhode Islanders have access to affordable health care.
Bennett said he would support legislative measures that help make living in Rhode Island generally more affordable. “The cost of living is going up and the quality of life is going down for our residents,” he said. “I’m worried because I know of elderly people who have to decide whether to put gas in their car, food on the table or fill their prescriptions.”

He said that as a nurse, he’s seen people risking their health by cutting their prescribed dosages in half to save money.

A graduate of Toll Gate High School, Bennett earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Rhode Island College before going back to school to become a registered nurse.

He said he is concerned about the environment and also about T.F. Green Airport’s impact on Warwick’s future. Since the Airport Corporation has not yet firmed up plans to expand, Bennett said, it’s not clear what roads and properties may be taken. As a result, he said, some people who live close to the airport are stymied when it comes to deciding how much to invest in improving their properties.

Are there other big issues that are important to you and your family? E-mail me at BennettForSenate31@gmail.com or call me at (401) 737-0562 and let me know!

Warwick Beacon Articles

2008-07-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Our campaign was mentioned in two recent articles in the Warwick Beacon. On July 3rd, the paper reported:

After State Senator John C. Revens - who had a near 40-year career in the General Assembly - announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election this year, five candidates have come forward to compete for the District 31 Senate Seat.

On the Democratic side, David Bennett, a nurse at Butler Hospital in Providence, will square off against three lawyers...The winner will go on to face [a Republican] in the General Election.

On Tuesday, Bennett, 53, took time out of collecting the necessary 100 signatures to answer questions. Bennett said he would run on a platform of finding ways to keep property taxes down, making health care more affordable and accessible, and fighting the potential airport expansion. He also said the state needs to budget its money more wisely.

"We need a comprehensive budget and it needs to be restructured. It has to be looked at from the perspective of working families," said Bennett…

"We've got problems in this state that won't allow us to sit back and wait for career politicians to fix them. They'll never get fixed that way, believe me," he said.

On July 22nd, after two of my opponents dropped out, the Beacon reported:

David Bennett, a nurse at Butler hospital on Providence’s East Side, said he was excited to be in the race.

"Everyone talks about the need for the average guy to step up and run. Well, that’s me. I’m the average guy. I’m not a politician, that’s for sure," said Bennett...

Bennett [...said he] would support initiatives to lower health care costs, improve education and become better stewards of the environment.

From going door-to-door, I know that my neighbors are ready for change, and ready for a voice that will stand up for working families. To help me get my message out to more of our neighbors, you can come by campaign headquarters and volunteer any evening or weekend - and please spread the word among your family and friends.