2020 Election Profile: Robert Morris, RI State Senate District 15
Saturday, September 05, 2020
Meet Bob Morris who is running for election in Senate District 15 (Pawtucket).
Read what he has to say about why he 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?
With increasing infection rates, a dwindling economy, and schools on the verge of reopening it is without doubt Covid-19. First, we need to lower the infection rates, paying close attention to diverse communities where the rates are highest. Second, getting people back to work so our economy can be completely opened. Finally, we must make sure our children are safe, while, making sure our children are getting the best education be it in school or with distance learning.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
Small business is the backbone of America’s economy. They make up 98.9% of all Rhode Island businesses. Small Businesses took a tremendous hit during Covid-19. The 52.7% of workers who work for a small business were some of the hardest hit during this pandemic. We need to get them the monies they were promised so they may open back up or bring their staffing levels back up. Getting the infection rate under control and getting people back to work is the best thing for our economy.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
Community being divided. My definition of community is bringing people together from all walks of life. We need to embrace everyone within our community. We have seen a surge in bias-related crimes in our country and also our city. We must be clear and resolute: discrimination of any kind is unacceptable. As a diverse area, we must celebrate our diversity as the pillars of what makes Rhode Island original.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I have strong ties to the city of Pawtucket. I was born, raised, and am raising my own family in the district. I attended Nathaniel Greene Elementary, Slater Jr. High & graduated from Shea High School in 1987. I started fighting for Pawtucket in the fourth grade when I wrote a letter to the editor of the Pawtucket times about saving the nativity downtown. I have been involved in youth sports for over 30 years including being the President of Fairlawn Little League. Being born and raised in the district gives me the advantage of knowing what Pawtucket was, is now and can be.
5. Who is your inspiration?
I do not have just one biggest influence, my teachers, coaches and my mother all have inspired me to run for office and give back to our community. I had several teachers over the years who always pushed me to my fullest potential. The coaches I had the pleasure of playing for showed me how to work hard, be fair and be a great teammate. Many of these coaches held office in the district, they showed me that its everyone’s responsibility to fight for their community. But the biggest influence will always be my mother. She instilled in me values I still hold today: honesty, hard work, and compassion for others. She has been and will always be my biggest cheerleader. Many a time I witnessed my mother give up something for herself to help someone who was worse off.where my mother had given up something for herself to help someone who was worse off.
Bio:
I am 51 years old Born in Pawtucket. My wife is Marissa and I have three children Brendon, Cooper and Victoria
