Political Profile: Pat Cortellessa, Candidate for Secretary of State
Friday, November 04, 2022
Pat Cortellessa is running for Secretary of State as the Republican nominee. Here's what he has to say.
1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign cycle?
For Rhode Island, the biggest political issue this election cycle is restoring the trust in government. For the Secretary of State, that means not only ensuring Rhode Islanders have the ability to vote, but guaranteeing that their vote is safe. fair, and valid.
As an employee in the security field, I am a firm believer in "trust but verify." That means continuing to maintain that the state electoral process leaves room for no errors for future elections.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSpecifically, that means advocating to amend the recently passed 'Let RI Vote' law to increase the clean-up of the voters rolls, improve Voter-ID laws (to include only tamper proof forms of identification), and amend the absentee voting process to ban "ballot harvesting" - a longtime process used to orchestrate letting anyone besides the voter or their immediate family member handle mail ballots.
Because this process invites massive election tampering, it must be stopped to ensure validation in the voting process for Rhode Island going forward.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
The biggest issues facing the Rhode Island economy concern taxes and spending. Our government spends our tax dollars too freely with most Rhode Islanders not reaping its benefits, and instead are left suffering with high taxes, fees, and regulation.
What the Secretary of State can do to fix this is use the office's $16 million budget to lower fees for businesses, reduce businesses' use of going through the Division of Taxation, and advocate to reduce business start-ups window before they have to pay capital gains taxes.
These are some of the ways the Secretary of State office can be an advocate for small business and improve our state as an economic engine for future start-ups going forward.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
The greatest challenge facing Rhode Island is mistrust in our institutions. Our institutions are entrusted to government, and living in a representative democracy, our elected officials' job is to represent 'We The People' with everyone's best interests at heart.
Unfortunately, Rhode Island has a deep history with corruption, malphesiane, and insider dealings with our elected leaders, that give many a sense of mistrust and voter apathy/
This can be seen in the number of Rhode Islanders who turn out to vote.
According to the 2020 Rhode Island Voter Turnout tracker, less than 38% of the state came out to vote, against the national average of over 66% - a sign of low civic engagement
To turn this mistrust around, the Secretary of State's office should use its annual $16 million budget to inspire civic action and teach Rhode Islanders the importance of our history.
Part of the Secretary of State’s job is to highlight historical events for Rhode Islanders to learn about. I will use the office to teach Rhode Islanders about our state's many military heroes who helped shape our state, as well as teach civic education to teach Rhode Islanders about how government works and how it affects them.
Knowledge is power and an informed electorate only makes our state stronger for future generations.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running for office because since the office of Secretary of State is so important to ensuring free and fair elections take place, a lifelong Rhode Islander who believes in an open government should be elected to make that a reality.
As someone who is deeply familiar with government, political elections and how they work, I bring with me years of campaign experience and believe that the office of the Secretary of State should pass that knowledge on to all Rhode Islanders.
Additionally, as a candidate for Secretary of State in 2018, I understand what has since changed and what can still improve for the sake of election integrity going forward.
Most of all, I believe that as a citizen candidate, I don't bring with me the political baggage or loyalties other Secretaries of State have, and will commit my role to the good of all Rhode Islanders.
5. Who is your inspiration?
For me, my inspiration is my late father Pasqual Cortellessa, who I lost last year. He embodied a life of service and a love and dedication to the great state of Rhode Island. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps serving during the Korean War, a long-time employee of 20 years at the Quonset Naval Air Station as a jet mechanic, and a small business owner as a partner in the River Café in Providence.
He personified a man who loved Rhode Island. He dedicated his life to our state and believed it was the best place to call home, make a life and raise a family. I want future generations to believe in our state - something that can only continue if policies are in place that put Rhode Islanders first.
