2020 Election Profile: Jo-Ann Ryan, RI State Senate District 5
Thursday, September 03, 2020
Meet Jo-Ann Ryan who is running for election in Senate District 5 (Providence).
Read what she has to say about why she is running for office.
This is part of an ongoing series by GoLocal featuring each of the candidates for House and Senate.
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1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
I think it is a tie between the damage to our economy caused by the COVID-19 outbreak and the fight for social and economic justice that has led so many people to protest against racism here and across the country.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
We need to learn from past recessions and be ready to go with shovel ready projects and stay laser focused on every-day kitchen table economics. As someone who has worked in the financial industry for over thirty years, I've seen how, more and more, all of the sectors of our economy - banking, housing, education, health care and construction - are all interconnected. We need a strategy that works for all Rhode Islanders.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
Our biggest challenge is whether or not we can come together as one state and deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak. My neighbors, the people across Senate District 5, and the State of Rhode Island, want to see action from the State House, not grandstanding. As a state, we are going to have to find a way to get past personal and political differences. We should still debate about what the right thing to do is, but we need to act to protect Providence residents and to ensure that the City is properly represented at the State House.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running to get things done for my constituents. The incumbent Senator thinks it more important to make speeches and try to block forward progress on issues impacting the people of Rhode Island. I was born and raised in Providence and I love my city, and I want to see it move forward. As a woman who has worked in the financial world for over 30 years, I've learned how to get things done when people try to put up obstacles. As the Majority Leader on the Providence City Council, I've learned how to work with colleagues who sometimes disagree to pass important legislation, such as the plastic bag reduction act, the neighborhood reinvestment act and re-establishing the rainy-day fund.
5. Who is your inspiration?
My parents, Tom and Eve Flanagan, are my inspiration. They were children of immigrants and products of the Great Depression. They worked long hours and hard days in middle-class jobs. They sacrificed throughout their lives in order to build a brighter future for my brother Tom and I. By their example, they instilled in me values of family, hard work, self-worth and the importance of contributing to your community. They scrimped and saved, and as a result, I enjoyed opportunities they didn’t have. They encouraged me and I wouldn’t be where I am without their love and support.
Biography:
I love Providence. I grew up here in the neighborhoods I represent, and I have raised my family here as well. I live on Pleasant Valley Parkway with my husband of 30 years, attorney Thomas J. Ryan, and our children, attorney Brendan F. Ryan and Megan F. Ryan, TCRG, MBA. My parents were hard-working people. Mom, Eve Flanagan, worked 12-hour days in her beauty salon on Academy Avenue in the heart of the ward, and my dad, Tom Flanagan, was a Providence police officer. My strong work ethic came from their quiet examples, a work ethic I bring to my role as an Elected Official.
I am a professional woman, wife and mom. My experience and passion make me a strong advocate for my constituents in Elmhurst, Mt. Pleasant and Manton!
I have a solid career in finance (currently I am a vice president at Customers Bank), and my forward-thinking financial programs have won numerous awards for helping working-class families become homeowners throughout the city.
