Former State Rep. Pacheco Announces Run for 2nd Congressional District
Monday, January 24, 2022
Former Rhode Island State Representative Ed Pacheco has announced his candidacy to run in the Democratic primary for the second congressional district.
According to his campaign, “raised in Burrillville, Pacheco learned early on that community voice can be a powerful force for improving the lives of Rhode Islanders. At 19, he became the youngest elected official in Rhode Island history when he joined the Burrillville School Committee. Pacheco went on to represent the people of Burrillville and Glocester as State Representative.”
In 2010, former Democratic activist and now turned lobbyist, Matt Jerzyk, writing in a column on GoLocal wrote, “In many ways, Pacheco represents the future of the RI Democratic Party - young, ethnic, populist, ambitious, married to a Latina - and his appointment by new House Speaker Gordon Fox speaks volumes about the new Speaker's commitment to rebuilding the Party.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter Pacheco’s tenure with the party, he moved on to work for Rhode Island College.
Later Pacheco was appointed chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party, where he "promoted Democratic ideals and policies to benefit the state’s citizenry," according to his campaign.
Much of his career has been devoted to expanding educational opportunities for Rhode Islanders, his campaign continued, first as executive director of a RI non-profit and most recently as executive director of the Rhode Island College Foundation and interim executive director of external affairs for the college.
“This is a pivotal moment in our country’s history. Every day it feels as though we are being pulled further apart and the very fabric of our democracy is under attack. It’s as though politicians in Washington have forgotten us and are more interested in political gamesmanship than focusing on the people who elected them. Now more than ever, we can no longer sit on the sidelines,” said Pacheco. “We must come together to advocate for what is best for our community, our state and our nation.”
Former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras is serving as the campaign’s Honorary Chairperson. “I am proud to support Ed Pacheco in his campaign for Rhode Island’s second congressional district. I have known Ed for years, he is a person of integrity that will fight for us in Washington and will always listen to the diverse voices across our community.”
Pacheco currently lives in Warwick with his wife Claudia and two young children. In the coming days, Pacheco said he will "continue to engage voters in [the] district to discuss their priorities and the stakes of this election."
