James Diossa Cruises to Victory in Central Falls Mayor’s Race
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Twenty-eight year-old James Diossa was overwhelmingly elected Mayor of Central Falls Tuesday evening in special election to replace ex-Mayor Chares Moreau, who has pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.
Diossa defeated former Police Chief Joe Moran III, earning approximately 62 percent of the vote.
“Tonight, we made history,” Diossa said. “We knocked on more doors, called more voters, and endured more cold than any other campaign in Central Falls history. This is not my victory - this is our victory. You worked hard to convince your neighbors that we can change our city. And we did it. Now the work begins to turn Central Falls around. It will not happen overnight and it will not happen unless we continue to work together – and we will.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDiossa thanked U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, State Senator Betty Crowley, State Representative Gus Silva, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien, Cumberland Mayor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee (RILPAC) and Dexter Credit Union CEO Steven Angel for their support, in addition to his volunteers and staff.
Cicilline said he hopes Diossa’s victory can get Central Falls back on track as it emerges from municipal bankruptcy.
“I’m thrilled to congratulate Mayor-Elect James Diossa on his decisive victory tonight – an event that I hope is the first big step in our work to turn the page and put Central Falls back on the right track,” Cicilline said. “James is deeply committed to the City of Central Falls and his unbounded optimism for the city is clear. He has emerged as a leader in Rhode Island’s Latino community, an unflinching champion of progressive values, and a strong advocate for the working men and women of Central Falls, and I look forward to working with James to best serve the people of Central Falls.”
Diossa asked everyone who got involved in the campaign to keep participating in local politics and work with him to hold government accountable. He said his is looking forward to working with everyone, including his opponent’s supporters, in order to ensure that local government is inclusive, responsive to people’s needs and financially solvent.
“The voters endorsed our vision for moving Central Falls Forward -- with a city government that works for all of the people and not just the select few,” Diossa said. “Voters endorsed our vision for turning the page on a corrupt and bankrupt past and moving towards an open, honest and ethical city government.”
