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

Matos is the state’s lieutenant governor. She was picked for the role by Gov. Dan McKee after he succeeded former Gov. Gina Raimondo in 2021, then won a full term in the election last fall. Prior to that, she was president of the Providence City Council.

Matos immigrated from the Dominican Republic at the age of 20 and went on to graduate from RIC. She recently moved within the city of Providence to a relative’s home that’s located in the 1st Congressional District as she and her husband look for a permanent home in that part of the city.

Below are Matos’ 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?

“Right now, our rights are under attack. MAGA Republicans in Congress and Judiciary are rolling back decades of progress. From reproductive freedom to measures to ensure that people from historically disadvantaged communities can get into colleges, to blatant attempts to undermine our democratic process, these attacks are working and we need leaders who will fight back. I came to this country when I was a young woman because I believed in the American Dream. I believed that, with enough hard work, anything is possible. I worked in a factory, learned English at night, went to Rhode Island College, ran for local office, became City Council President and then became Lieutenant Governor. I believe that my story is only possible in the United States, but those who seek to eliminate rights and threaten our democracy are threatening the American Dream itself. In Congress, I will stand up for reproductive freedom, fight for common sense gun-safety laws and uphold our democratic values at all costs.”

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

“I think that housing is a critical issue facing Rhode Island and one thing that can be done at the federal level to address the housing crisis is to change the federal definition of homelessness. Right now, a family cannot receive federal support unless they are literally sleeping on the street or in a shelter. I have seen this firsthand when families are displaced by fires and since they got their family a hotel for the night, or they found a friend that will let them sleep on their couch, they are not eligible for federal support. These people should be able to access federal support sooner so that they can avoid homelessness in the first place and that’s something that I will fight to fix right away.”

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

“There is certainly a diverse set of experiences and backgrounds in this field of candidates. What sets me apart from the other candidates is my track record of delivering for the people of Rhode Island. I was a Providence City Councilor for a decade. As President of the Providence City Council, and now as Lieutenant Governor, I am known for getting things done. From advocating for commonsense gun-safety legislation to fighting to expand access to abortion and advocating for housing that people can afford, my record speaks for itself and is unparalleled in this race.”

Visit Matos’ campaign website »

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