Founder of RI Alliance for Vaccine Choice to Challenge Mattiello, Will Face Frias in GOP Primary
Monday, June 27, 2016
Republican Shawna Lawton who heads RI Alliance for Vaccine Choice and is a sales and marketing professional, today announces her candidacy for R.I. House Representative in District 15. Presently, the seat is held by Speaker Nick Mattiello. She will face a GOP primary against Boston lawyer and Projo columnist Steve Frias.
“I am running for R.I. House Representative because I believe the decisions being made in our General Assembly are not in the best interest of Rhode Islanders. I believe my opponent is steering our state off course and not working to alleviate the problems that affect our everyday lives,” said Lawton.
“Votes are being influenced and there is unnecessary wasteful spending at the taxpayers’ expense. I believe we need to change the way our state is run, and in order to do this, we need to change the players. The people of District 15 need leadership that is focused on their concerns, not on the insiders in the State House. I am committed to change for the people in district 15 and for the State of R.I.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTLawton Helps Lead Anti-Vaccine Group
The anti-vaccine group Lawton helped form says, “is organized for the purpose of advocating for legislation that supports parental rights and informed consent. All individuals should be given full knowledge of possible risks and benefits relating to medical procedures and vaccines including the HPV vaccine.”
Many health professionals debunk the position of anti-vaccine groups.
In an article in the New York Times in January, physicians voiced their frustration with parents who opposed vaccinations.
“Sometimes, I feel like we’re practicing in the 1950s,” said Dr. Eric Ball, a pediatrician in southern Orange County, where some schools report that 50 to 60 percent of their kindergartners are not fully vaccinated and that 20 to 40 percent of parents have sought a personal beliefs exemption to vaccination requirements. “It’s very frustrating. It’s hard to see a kid suffer for something that’s entirely preventable.”
As a Candidate
According to Lawton’s press release, her “primary goals will be improving the state of our crippled economy, fostering transparency in our local government, and strengthening education.”
“I am running for RI House Representative looking clearly to the future—the future of our children, our community, and our state. I will be a voice for the people of District 15 that demands reform.”
Shawna Lawton is a native Rhode Islander who has been a resident of Cranston for over 16 years.
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