Ana Quezada was a Democratic candidate in the race for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District.

Quezada has represented South Providence in the state senate since 2016. She’s the secretary of the Senate Committee on Education and a member of the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Quezada immigrated to New York at the age of 17 and has lived in Providence since 1990. She’s worked for the city as a code enforcement inspector since 2003 and she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Springfield College in 2017.

Below are Quezada’s responses to a three-question survey from 12 News:

1. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the country today, and how do you think Congress should address it?

“The biggest issue facing our country is climate change. Climate change and its effects will intersect with all the other issues we face; national security because more and more people will have to flee their homelands due to the heat and lack of water; economics because our country will have to spend more and more money addressing the climate disasters we will be facing; housing because sea level rise will force so many people to abandon their homes due to flooding; and health because more and more people will become ill as the effects of climate change will increase the likelihood of global pandemics and diseases. Congress has the tools to confront the climate crisis by passing the Climate Resilience Act, which helps communities prepare for climate disasters, and getting behind the Green New Deal to pave the way for a more fair, innovative, and green economy.”

2. What is an under-the-radar issue you are passionate about which you would make one of your priorities in Congress?

“We really need to address income inequality. Today so many people just cannot make ends meet, or are one paycheck away from disaster, and I hear a lot of people giving up hope for the future. We need to raise the minimum wage to a living wage of at least $17 an hour. We need to make the richest people and corporations pay their fair share of taxes and ease the burden for working families and small businesses. And we need to stop all of the price gouging that is happening and making food and groceries so expensive.”

3. What do you think voters should know about your background that makes you stand out from the other candidates?

“I am not rich and I am not politically well-connected. My husband was undocumented when he came to this country. My brother was a victim of senseless gun violence. I’m a mom and grandma that knows what it’s like to survive on food stamps, work in a Woonsocket factory. I put myself through college to become a social worker at age 53, the same year I was elected to the State Senate. That’s why I passed the $15 minimum wage bill here in RI. I passed legislation to address affordable housing by making it easier to convert old buildings into new homes. I passed legislation to protect our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors from discrimination. I know what the working people of RI need because I am one of them — it’s not just campaign talk. That’s how you know I will fight hard for you everyday I serve as your Congresswoman.”

Visit Quezada’s campaign website »

Meet the Candidates: Gabe Amo ☆ Stephanie Beauté ☆ Walter Berbrick ☆ Sandra Cano ☆ Don Carlson ☆ Steve Casey ☆ Spencer Dickinson ☆ Terri Flynn ☆ John Goncalves ☆ Gerry Leonard ☆ Sabina Matos ☆ Aaron Regunberg ☆ Allen Waters