Providence Journal: Rep. Langevin announces reelection bid

By Paul Edward Parker
Journal Staff Writer

 

U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin declared his candidacy for reelection to Congress Tuesday morning, handing in papers at the secretary of state’s elections office.

“I love Rhode Island, and I feel passionate about public service,” Langevin said while chatting with reporters as his paperwork was processed. “There’s a lot of frustrations that go along with the job, certainly in this environment where it’s been so partisan. But I’m proud of the bipartisan record I have demonstrated.”

Langevin said the issues he will campaign on are familiar to those who have followed his career: career and technical education, cybersecurity and national security, especially the construction of Virginia-class submarines, which are built in Quonset Point and in Groton, Connecticut, by General Dynamics Electric Boat. “These are the things that I continue to focus on,” he said, adding that he also hopes to gain ground on campaign-finance reform and gun safety.

Langevin said he anticipated debates as part of the race. “I always make a point to debate my opponents,” he said. “I’ve always made a practice of making myself accessible to discuss the issues.”

The secretary of state’s office said that at least two opponents have begun the process of getting on the ballot: Democrat Steven Archer and independent Salvatore G. Caiozzo. Also, Republican Rhue Reis said on June 9 that he would challenge Langevin.

Langevin was elected to Congress in 2000, when Rep. Robert Weygand ran for the U.S. Senate. Langevin previously was a state representative and secretary of state. He represents Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District, which generally covers the state west of Narragansett Bay, except for parts of Providence and several communities in or near the Blackstone Valley.

Not long after Langevin declared his candidacy Tuesday morning, the Coventry Democratic Town Committee announced that it had endorsed Langevin at its meeting Monday night.

Several weeks ago, the state Democratic Party endorsed Langevin at its state convention.

“I haven’t lost my passion for public service,” Langevin told reporters Tuesday. “I got into this years ago … to give back and show my appreciation for the people of Rhode Island.”

Langevin to Officially Declare Candidacy for Congress

Jim Langevin will officially launch his reelection campaign for Congress on Tuesday morning. Langevin, who is pursuing a ninth term to represent Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District, will file his Declaration of Candidacy at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Rhode Island Secretary of State Elections Division in Providence.

Langevin started his career in public service in 1986 when he was elected to the state’s Constitutional Convention. He later served as a Warwick State Representative and was then elected Secretary of State. Langevin was elected to the United States Congress in 2000, and currently serves as a senior member of both the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees.

In the 2016 election, Langevin has already received endorsements from the Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee, the Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Town Chairs, Democratic Town Committees in Burrillville, Johnston, and East Greenwich, and from the AFL-CIO.

Coventry Democratic Town Committee Endorses Langevin for Congress

The Coventry Democratic Town Committee endorsed Jim Langevin Monday night in his reelection bid to represent the Second District in the United States Congress.

“Coventry has a friend in Jim Langevin. Jim is always there for us when we need him, and keeps us engaged and informed on the issues he is working on in Washington,” said Committee Chairman Rick Kalunian. “Jim and his staff are so accessible when we have questions or someone in Coventry needs help with a constituent issue and that commitment really means a lot to our community.”

Langevin started his career in public service in 1986 when he was elected to the state’s Constitutional Convention. He later served as a Warwick State Representative and was then elected Secretary of State. Langevin was elected to the United States Congress in 2000, and currently serves as a senior member of both the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees.

“I’m so grateful to Chairman Kalunian and the entire Town Committee for their support. This endorsement comes at a perfect time, building enthusiasm for my campaign on the eve of my official announcement,” said Langevin. “I will file my Declaration of Candidacy papers tomorrow morning, and I feel more passionate than ever about continuing my work, fighting for the people of Coventry and all of Rhode Island.”

In the 2016 election, Langevin has already received endorsements from the Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee, the Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Town Chairs, Democratic Town Committees in Burrillville, Johnston, and East Greenwich, and from the AFL-CIO.