There is Officially a New Candidate in the Rhode Island Governor’s Race

There is Officially a New Candidate in the Rhode Island Governor’s Race

There is officially a new entrant in the Democratic primary for Governor in Rhode Island. 

Rhode Island business owner Greg Stevens, who had previously indicated he was considering a run, made it official Wednesday, filing his campaign finance "notice of organization" at the Rhode Island Board of Elections. 

“I’m not running as a politician — I’m running as someone who’s lived on the front lines,” said Steven, who owns Pat’s Italian Restaurants. “As a small business owner, I’ve spent my life creating jobs, paying taxes, and helping Rhode Islanders put food on their tables.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Stevens now joins declared candidates Dan McKee and Helena Foulkes in the Democratic primary for Governor in 2026. 

“I’m not ‘woke’ — I’m awake. Awake to what’s happening to our state, our economy, and our people,” said Stevens. 

His website is now live here. 

 

On the Record

On Monday, Stevens shared with GoLocal his official campaign pillars. 

From calling for a “new” Democratic party to eschewing political advisors Stevens said his campaign is focused on “real people.”

Stevens said his official political platform is the following: 

A New Democratic Party 

It’s time for a new kind of Democratic Party — one that’s not stuck in talking points, but grounded in results. Too many career politicians and lawyers want to argue instead of act. I want a government built on people who know what it takes — small business owners, nurses, teachers, and working men and women who’ve been there. We’ve become complacent. We react too slowly, and we’ve lost touch with the real struggles of Rhode Islanders. I feel the pain of the Republican voter — the veteran sleeping in a cardboard box, the small business crushed by regulation, the families trying to make ends meet while Washington sends billions overseas. 

Putting Rhode Island First 

I came of age during the Vietnam era. We’ve been talking about taking care of our veterans since then — yet here we are, decades later, still watching those who served sleep on the streets. Meanwhile, our federal government just pledged $20 billion to Argentina and is buying foreign beef while US farmers can’t compete. That’s not leadership — that’s neglect. 

Rebuilding Our State’s Economy 

Let’s look at what really drives Rhode Island: 
$80 billion in annual state GDP. 
$6 billion spent by visitors in 2024 — bringing in nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. 
$5.3 billion collected from Rhode Island businesses and workers — yet we still struggle to balance budgets. $426 million from our state lottery — money that was supposed to eliminate sales tax when it began, but instead now disappears into the General Fund. 
Believe me, we can make it happen through increased revenue, not increased taxes. By making the system more efficient and holding government accountable, we can grow Rhode Island’s economy without burdening its people. 

Healthcare in Crisis 

Let’s be honest — our healthcare system is broken. It shouldn’t take 10 months to get an appointment with a primary care doctor. Why are doctors leaving Rhode Island? I’m going to find out — and I’m going to fix it. Whether it’s better pay, fewer restrictions, or cutting the red tape that drives them away, I’ll do whatever it takes to rebuild our healthcare network. We can’t have quality care if we don’t have caregivers. Our seniors, veterans, and working families deserve to see a doctor when they’re sick — not next year. I’ll bring hospitals, clinics, and medical schools together to find real solutions, not more excuses. 

Accountability and Affordability 

I see what’s happening with your utility bills — they just keep going up without explanation or accountability. It now costs more to deliver electricity than to produce it. That needs to stop. I’ll demand transparency and fairness from every utility company operating in our state. And while we’re at it — what about insurance premiums? Auto insurance is skyrocketing, even for safe drivers. You can have a clean record, and still, points appear on your “driving score” from incidents that caused no damage or harm. That’s not fair, and I’ll demand answers. Insurance companies should be held accountable — not just to their shareholders, but to the people they profit from. At the same time, I will fight for green energy. Electric cars are coming, and you can’t stop progress — nor should we try. Rhode Island should be leading the clean-energy revolution, not watching from the sidelines. 

Embracing Change and Technology 

I’ve always been a progressive — but a practical one. I can’t see us standing still while the world moves forward. Change is hard, and yes, many conservatives wish we could go back to gas engines and morning newspapers. But the world is changing whether we like it or not — so why not lead the change instead of being left behind? That’s why I’ll bring Rhode Island into the future with AI, advanced technology, and innovation. I want tech companies here — not just warehouse jobs. I want high-paying, future-ready careers so our children can build their lives here instead of leaving us behind. 

Smart Reform and Safer Roads 

I believe in cameras at every intersection — not as a trap to collect money, but as a tool to keep people safe. These systems should prevent accidents, not target citizens. I’ll push for higher fines for texting while driving, updated speed limits that reflect modern roads, and less red tape for opening businesses. Rhode Island should be the easiest place in New England to start and grow a business.

Dignity for Our Seniors 

After a lifetime of work, paying taxes, raising families, and contributing to their communities, too many Rhode Islanders are being forced to become broke just to receive care. Imagine working fifty years, paying property taxes your whole life, and being told you can’t have more than $400 in the bank to qualify for help. It’s humiliating and wrong. I believe seniors should be allowed to keep up to $800,000 in property and savings — something they can pass down to their kids, grandkids, or even donate to charity. People should not have to give up their dignity or their life’s work just to get the care they deserve. 

Real Reform: Compassion with Accountability 

Yes, welfare and disability programs can be abused — and we need to clean that up. But most people on these programs genuinely need help. These aren’t people living large — they’re trying to pay rent, buy food, and keep the lights on. Cutting off everyone isn’t the answer. Smart oversight is. No child in Rhode Island should go hungry. That’s why I support free school breakfast and lunch for all students. When kids eat, they learn better — and attendance goes up. It’s simple: feed the child, and you feed the future. 

Respect for All 

The fighting has to stop. The name-calling — “deplorable,” “demoncrat,” whatever the insult of the day — it’s tearing us apart. No one is more patriotic than another. You don’t have to wave a flag from your truck to love your country. Everyone counts. That means everyone — LGBTQ+, transgender, veterans, seniors, working families. Equality and opportunity for all aren’t just talking points — they’re what make Rhode Island worth fighting for. 

Listening to Real People, Not Political Advisors 

I meet with real people every day — not lobbyists, not party operatives — real Rhode Islanders. I don’t have someone feeding me talking points. And you know what? The same themes come up again and again: utility bills, insurance costs, and affordable medical care. People are working harder than ever and getting less in return. It shouldn’t take months to see a doctor, or years to start a business. Doctors are leaving Rhode Island for greener pastures — and I don’t blame them. When it’s easier to practice medicine in another state, we have a problem. I will find out why, and I will fix it — whether that means better pay, fewer restrictions, or getting bureaucracy out of their way. I also sit down with business owners and ask, “Why not open in Rhode Island?” The answers are almost laughable. They tell me, “I don’t have years to wait for permitting.” They’re right — the system is broken. I’m going to fix that too.

We’ll create One-Stop Permitting Offices — real people, real offices, where every business gets a permitting official assigned to guide them step by step. No more waiting months for approvals that sit on someone’s desk. No more being told, “He’ll get to it after the other 5,000 things he has to do.” Our building, electrical, and fire officials should be partners in progress, not barriers to it. They will no longer be an obstacle. We’ll move toward state-led inspections and common-sense solutions that help businesses open, hire, and grow. Watch me make these things happen. Rhode Island is my home, and I’ve been waiting and watching long enough. It’s time to walk the walk.