Picheco announces second run for District 14 State Rep

Last month, Cranston Navy Veteran, sociology teacher and graduate student at UMass Boston, and active community organizer Giona Picheco declared her candidacy for State Representative in District 14, which includes neighborhoods in Cranston and Providence.

Giona served in the Navy for six years on a submarine, completing two overseas deployments and serving in a leadership position for her division. After completing her service honorably, she enrolled at the University of Rhode Island and bought a house in the Knightsville neighborhood of Cranston.

Since then, she’s earned her degree in sociology and political science and has become a leader in the community, bringing neighbors together to pass Democratic policies and help elect local Democratic champions. Now, Giona is again running a grassroots campaign to continue her record of service at the State House and provide a new voice for our neighbors.

In announcing her campaign, Giona Picheco issued the following statement:

"Our communities in District 14 deserve a representative who prioritizes real issues. People know I am focused on addressing the rising costs of housing and groceries, improving access to healthcare, childcare, and elder care, and tackling gun violence in our neighborhoods—not on division and distraction.

We've had the same representative for more than 30 years, yet our communities in Cranston and Providence have been neglected and our votes taken for granted. It’s time for change. I will invest in our schools, take on high housing costs, stand up to the gun lobby, and challenge the healthcare, senior care, and utility corporations who profit off of families’ basic needs. These are real Democratic values, and that’s why I’m running for State Representative.”

Giona mounted her first campaign for State Representative in 2022 and brought new ideas and a true spirit of community to the Democratic primary. This cycle, Giona has already earned endorsements from the RI Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Votes! RI, Run for Something, VoteVets, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, LPAC, New Politics, and Young Democrats of Cranston. If you see her out canvassing the neighborhood, say hello!

Giona lives in Cranston with her longtime partner and their two rescue dogs, Sam and Leia. She can be reached at hello@gionapicheco.com, at (401) 287-4092, and on social media: @gionapicheco on Instagram and X/Twitter, and “Giona Picheco for State Representative” on Facebook.