Today I aired an ad for my campaign for Congress in Rhode Island's First District. It's a contrast between myself and another person in the race, David Cicilline, the current Mayor of Providence, on an issue where he and I were clearly on opposite sides. There's been a lot of coverage already on the history of First Source here. And you can read the full press release below.
Here's the thing. I'm running for Congress because Rhode Island needs a fighter- someone who's unafraid to stand up to the big corporate interests and someone who knows how to work with community organizations and community leaders affected by the deep problems our communities face to fight and win solutions for our communities.
I have always stood up for ordinary Rhode Islanders, even when it meant challenging elected officials like the Mayor, and powerful interests, like the developers who at the time were benefiting from public dollars without having to give back to the City in any meaningful way.
I'm proud that the ordinance has been used to put hundreds of Providence residents to work, but of course, it's only the beginning. We have to work hard together to get Rhode Island and the country working again. And it's going to be a fight. Simply put, the interests the entities dominating this debate don’t share the interests of ordinary Rhode Islanders. The big banks, the big insurance companies, big fossil fuel companies, and other powerful corporations have self-interests in maintaining business as usual.
I'm ready for this fight. And proud to have the support of people who know what's at stake. Join us: www.votesegal.com
Check out the ad here:
Here is the press release:
Contrast Ad Highlights David Segal’s Record of Fighting to Put People to Work
Providence RI—Today David Segal launched an ad highlighting his role in fighting for implementation of a city ordinance that creates a pipeline to employ unemployed Providence residents. In 2006 David Segal organized with his colleagues and community based organizations to sue Mayor David Cicilline in Superior Court for David Cicilline’s inaction on the ordinance. Hon. Judge Fortunato of Superior Court found that David Cicilline’s administration was in violation of the "First Source Ordinance" and forced implementation. Despite this, Cicilline has recently used First Source as proof of his commitment to creating jobs in Rhode Island.
Marc Gursky, the attorney in the case, said "David Cicilline fought against this local jobs program. David Segal fought for it in court, and won. Now that Cicilline is running for Congress, he’s taking credit for it."
Rachel Miller, David Segal’s campaign manager explained the importance of a contrast ad at this critical moment in the campaign. "In the final weeks before the September 14 Democratic Primary undecided voters are taking a hard look at the candidates. As our campaign continues to surge, we are seeing that people want to elect someone they can trust to stand up and fight for ordinary people. David Segal is the candidate with a record of winning victories for Rhode Island’s working people even when it means challenging wealthy developers and other elected officials. The more voters learn that, the more they are turning away from the front runner and putting their trust in the only David who will stand up and fight for Rhode Islanders."
In speaking about the ad and his record, David Segal explained how the Providence jobs ordinance speaks more broadly to his efforts over the last eight years, "I am sincerely proud of my work to get the Providence jobs ordinance implemented. So much of my work as an elected leader has focused on working with community leaders to fight for solutions to the problems at hand."
"Providence working families were hurting even before the recession put thousands of people across the state out of work, and the jobs ordinance was a path to helping create a pipeline to good living wage jobs for residents. It didn’t happen without a fight, just as my proposals to get Rhode Island working again will likely take challenging big corporate interests in order to stand up for ordinary Rhode Islanders. I know what it takes and I am up to the job." Segal continued.
The advertisement airs today in the cable market throughout the First Congressional District of Rhode Island, and can be seen at the www.votesegal.com link to the campaign’s YouTube page.