Portsmouth RI Democrats

Rep. District 70 (Portsmouth, Tiverton)

Jay graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA with a degree in Political Science in 1983. He met his wife, Donna Ward, in Boston and they were married in 1982. They have three children, John, 25, Kelsey, 20 & Mae, 15. Donna is currently a second grade teacher in the Westport Community, MA, School system. She is also the Vice President of the Westport Federation of Teachers.

Before getting into politics, Jay worked in various levels in his chosen profession, construction. He has worked for both union and merit shop firms ranging in size from $1-3 million/ year to in excess of $150 Million/year. Jay has licenses in both RI and Massachusetts for construction supervision and has managed projects in several New England states. His occupation is as a construction project manager.

Locally, Jay served on the Tiverton Zoning Board for over 10 years becoming the Vice Chairman. In 2004, he was appointed to the Tiverton Elementary School Building Committee which oversaw the construction of the new elementary school and the complete renovation of two existing schools, serving as Vice Chairman. In 2006, Jay was elected to the Tiverton Town Council. He continues to be a member of the Tiverton Democratic Town committee and serves as their treasurer. Jay was elected to represent District 70 (Tiverton, Portsmouth) in the RI House of Representatives in 2008. He serves on the House Labor, House Veterans Affairs and House Oversight Committees.

As a committed environmentalist, Jay is a member of Save the Bay, the Maine Island Trail Association, the Tiverton Land Trust, the Sierra Club and served as the Town Council’s appointee to the Landfill subcommittee. Jay is on the board of directors for Caritas, RI, a non-profit group that helps teenagers and women with substance abuse issues. Caritas operates three residential facilities as well as several out-patient programs. A long time and frequent platelet donor, Jay recently donated his 37th gallon to the RI Blood Center. An Eagle Scout since 1973, Jay is currently a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He also is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Newport Chapter, the National Rifle Association and Clean Water Action. In 2009, Jay became the first member of the General Assembly to be recognized as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional by the US Green Building Council.

Retired Vocational Evaluator, James L. Maher Center; Husband: Richard Gottlieb; daughter: Emily; Lifelong Portsmouth resident; Roger Williams University, B. A. 1975; Graduate work in Special Education; children's homilist, St. Lucy's; volunteer, Living in Fulfilling Environments (LIFE) volunteer.

Elected to Portsmouth School Committee 1994-2000; 2000-2002; Chair Budget Subcommittee; 2005-2008, Vice Chair; 2008-present, Secretary

Marge has been tireless in her efforts to develop budgets that are responsible and provide Portsmouth students with the education they need and deserve. Re-Elect Marge and keep her working for us and our children.

Rep. District 72 (Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport)

Attorney, Husband: Paul; Son: Stoddard; B.A. U.R.I. 1987 & Salve Regina, 1991; M.S. Salve Regina, 1994, J. D. Suffolk University School of Law 2001; Supreme Court Law Clerk 2001-02; R.I. Deputy Sheriff 1989-01; Intern, Sen. John Chafee,1987; Dept. of Attorney General 1999; Member: American, Rhode Island and Newport County Bar Associations, Potter League, Aquidneck Land Trust, Save the Bay, Norman Bird Sanctuary and Glen Farm Authority (2000-01), Ports. Town Council 2002-04; State Rep. District 72, 2004 - present

Amy has many accomplishments in her first term, protecting your right to privacy, and advocating for environmental protection, affordable health care and quality education. Keep Amy working for us!

Rep. Dist. 69 (Portsmouth, Bristol)

Attorney/Asst. Director Alternative Education Programming, Inc.; Wife: Diane; Sons: Timothy (21), Nathan (18); RIC, Southern New England School of Law; House Finance Committee, Vice Chair House Veteran’s Affairs Committee; House Separation of Powers Committee; Chairman Committee to Study Homeless Veterans in RI; Vice Chairman Comm. to Study Licensing Contractors and Builders; Mt. Hope Bay Pollution Study Commission; Bristol Zoning Board and Tax Board of Review; Land Use Planning Commission; Coach, Little League and Npt. County Hockey; State Representative District 69, 2000 - present.

Ray has led the fight against LNG and is protecting our seniors and veterans. He has led the fight to insure Portsmouth receives the promised Group Home Aid for Boys & Girls Town beds. He has fought to end mandatory overtime for nurses and limit property tax increases. Re-elect Ray Gallison!

Senate Dist. 11 (Portsmouth, Bristol)

Attorney, Levesque Law Office; Lifelong Portsmouth resident; PHS 1972; URI 1977; Loyola University School of Law (J. D. 1980); Member: Rhode Island, Newport and Portsmouth Bar Associations; Associate Member: Ports. Portuguese American Citizens Club; Past Member Board of Directors Newport County Women’s Resource Center; Chairman Portsmouth Recreation Study Commission 1983; Assistant Town Solicitor 1986-88, 2001-02 and 2004-present; Town Council 1988-92; Council Vice President 1990-92; State Rep. Dist 93, (Ports. & Bristol), 1992-2000; State Senator District 11, 2004 - present.

I have been proud to represent the communities of Bristol and Portsmouth for over 20 years. Regardless of your opinion on any particular issue, I believe I have always been honest, thoughtful and forthright. I have been involved in each community to the fullest, participating in almost every civic event in each community. I have responded to every constituent who has contacted me with a concern, even when my response to that concern was in the negative.

I believe my voting record, on issues as diverse as health care improvements, education reform, criminal justice reform, government oversight, personal liberties, long term health care (nursing homes), etc., is a record that folks in Portsmouth and Bristol should respect, and, I hope, be proud.

View more about Sen. Levesque

Raised in Milford, Connecticut, and attended the Butler Business School in Bridgeport, majoring in accounting, and Warren Business for data processing. Worked in finance and IT for several local companies before joining Star Drug as an office manager, eventually being promoted to the highest position below the owners, director of operations. Retired from Star in 1987 and moved to Rhode Island.

I was widowed in 1995, and have three children: Katherine, my partner at Beach Party Swimwear, now in our 20th year; Karen, (Kathy's twin), a manager for The Maher Center; and Deborah, a nurse who served as president of the Portsmouth Middle School PTO for 2 years. I also have three grandchildren, two PHS grads and one current student. Having grown children has given me the time to devote to serving Portsmouth on the school committee.

I ran for the school committee because I know the young people who will graduate from PHS are our future. Unlike other communities I've lived in, Portsmouth residents do not move away. They stay here and become our doctors, lawyers, dentists, realtors, etc. I want to help make sure that we turn out the best that is possible.

During my time on the Committee, where I currently serve as Chair, we made significant progress in areas that had been challenging in the past: We completed the new Gym on time and within budget. We hired Superintendent Susan Lusi and Finance Director Christine Tague and helped the schools move through a time of challenging budgets to ending this year in the black. And we made our meetings more accessible to the people of Portsmouth by moving them out of the Administration building, and managing the agenda to end the meetings before 9, rather than 11 or midnight.

If re-elected, I shall continue to work toward improving our school systems together with the entire School Committee.

Retired Portsmouth Police Officer; Wife: Amy; Children: Dennis Jr. (20), Olivia (17) and Jonathan (15); Portsmouth High School; Roger Williams University, 1988; Municipal Police Training Academy 1981; RI Juvenile Officers Assoc. Exec. Bd.; Regional Vice Pres. R.I. Crime Prevention Assoc. 1996-98; Founder, Portsmouth Police Cadet Explorer Program; Grand Knight K of C, Rooney Council, 1992-93; Portsmouth Senior Citizens Advocate 1997-01; Prudence Island Volunteer Fire Dept.; Lifelong Portsmouth resident; Portsmouth Town Council 2004 - present.

Dennis has been a conscientious advocate for the Portsmouth taxpayer. Keep Dennis working to help all Portsmouth citizens. Re-Elect Dennis Canario.

Program Director, BAE Systems Company.; Wife: Valerie; Children: Sarah (24) and Matt (21); Portsmouth High School 1972; Rhode Island College B. A. 1976; Naval Postgraduate School, M.S. Computer Science, 1990; Salve Regina University, MBA, 2005; Commander, U. S. Navy (Ret.); Past Vice President RI Chapter Contract Management Assoc.; Member Retired Officers Assoc. & Navy League; Portsmouth Native, Portsmouth School Committee 2000-04, Portsmouth Town Council Vice-President, 2004 - 2008, Portsmouth Town Council 2008-Present.

Jim’s dedicated, thoughtful and trustworthy approach to town issues has served us well. We need his continued steady leadership. Re-elect Jim to the Town Council.