Jennifer Lawless to Enter 2nd District Congressional Race

PROVIDENCE, RI – Jennifer L. Lawless, a professor of Political Science and Public Policy at Brown University, has announced that she will enter the U.S. congressional race for Rhode Island’s Second District seat in 2006. A registered Democrat, Lawless will formally announce her candidacy at a press conference by June 1, 2005 (location and time to be announced).

“I believe that Rhode Islanders need someone who will fight for them in Congress,” said Lawless. “We have to look at issues like education, health care, jobs, and a woman’s right to choose, and find what actually works for Rhode Island. I don’t think we should settle for the status quo in this state. Voters in this district deserve a representative who will step up for them when it matters most.”

After moving to Rhode Island to accept her teaching position, Lawless fell in love with the state: “Wherever I go, whomever I meet, I always arrive at the same conclusion – Rhode Island is a wonderful place to live and work. I’m excited and energized for a great campaign and I look forward to meeting, speaking with, and ultimately working as hard as I can for the people of Rhode Island.” Lawless plans to focus on a range of issues that affect Rhode Islanders every day, including public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education, health care for all state residents, especially seniors, and increased employment opportunities for everyone in the state.

Lawless, who has always been a strong advocate for access to education, reproductive freedom, and expanding the workforce, is also dedicated to the broader inclusion of women in politics. She believes it is crucial for qualified women to consider running for public office. Currently, Rhode Island ranks 35th out of the 50 states in terms of the percentage of women in the state legislature. Lawless said, “We don’t have a single female statewide officeholder, nor have we had a woman in our congressional delegation in fifteen years. Now is the time to send a woman to Washington.”

As an educator, Lawless teaches classes on public opinion, political behavior, and the electoral process. She has been quoted in the Providence Journal, Rhode Island Monthly, and USA Today, and has offered political analysis on ABC 6, CBS 12, Rhode Island PBS, Fox News Live, and WHJJ 920 Radio. She has recently published articles in the American Journal of Political Science, Political Research Quarterly, and Legislative Studies Quarterly.

Lawless received a B.A. in Political Science from Union College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University.

Download the Press Release!