Former Providence Councilman Hassett Says He Will Run Again For Seat Held by Kerwin

Former Providence Councilman Hassett Says He Will Run Again For Seat Held by Kerwin

Former longtime Providence City Councilman Terrence “Terry” Hassett announced Monday he is intending to run again.

Hassett had previously represented Ward 12 -- now represented by Councilwoman Kat Kerwin.

Both Democrats, Hassett was slated to face off against Kerwin in the 2018 primary for the seat he held for decades; he did not meet the signature requirement to be placed on the ballot. 

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“Given the upcoming election for City Council in Ward 12 of Providence I am declaring my candidacy today,” Hassett stated on Monday night. “No big announcement. Let's return to your neighbor and hopefully friend to represent you.”

Kerwin has been an outspoken — and controversial — member of the Council since first being elected.

In 2018, Kerwin, then aged 21, was featured in Teen Vogue’s national story, “Why Ja'Mal Green, Kat Kerwin, and Hadiya Afzal are Running for Office."

Kerwin in 2019 defended the vandalism of the statue of Christopher Columbus in Providence that was created by Auguste Bartholdi —the Frenchman who sculpted the Statue of Liberty.

In 2020, GoLocalProv.com was first to report Kerwin told police that downtown neighbors should “f—king get over it” after a complaint was made about loud music at a bar — that was not licensed for entertainment.