Ashley Kalus in 2022 RI Governor's race
On Abortion:
Described herself as pro-life; opposed abortion rights law
A group backed by the Democratic Governors Association has already launched an ad attacking Kalus. The ad takes aim at Kalus's stance on reproductive rights, quoting a clip from a TV interview in which she described herself as pro-life and saying that
she would not have supported the 2019 Reproductive Privacy Act, which aims to protect abortion rights in the state. "But Kalus, backed by anti-choice extremists, wouldn't have signed that law," the ad says.
Source: Boston Globe on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Sep 13, 2022
On Civil Rights:
Worked to ensure that communities have access to power
Over the past decade, Kalus said she has worked to ensure that communities have access to power. She served as the director of public engagement and outreach and took on the position because she wanted to ensure that Black and Brown communities and
communities that did not have lobbyists had access to the governor's office. Kalus said the Democratic Party has failed a generation of Black/Brown communities in the state and advocates for education reform and economic opportunity.
Source: Johnston Sunrise on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
May 31, 2022
On Education:
Pay our teachers more, promote school choice, fund pre-K
Education--a quality public education--is the great equalizer. It allows for the pursuit of economic opportunity. We need to make education a constitutional right, pay our teachers more, fund universal Pre-K, invest in technical education, rework our
funding formula to ensure communities most in need like Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and Central Falls are not being left behind, and promote school choice because no child should ever be trapped in a failing school.
Source: Press release on 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website
Jun 23, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Support industries such as offshore wind and aquaculture
Kalus, the only Republican on the stage, said communities should follow Barrington's climate action plan and include "hardening our assets.""As we rush toward that new
economy we need a governor that is able to balance innovation and entrepreneurship with environmental justice and the realities of climate change," she said about supporting industries such as offshore wind and aquaculture.
Source: Providence Journal on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Aug 3, 2022
On Government Reform:
Attract business by lowering taxes, cutting red tape
We cannot continue down the same path we have for the last 80 years. The only way to move this state forward is by fostering an economic climate that attracts businesses and creates high-paying jobs, and it starts by lowering taxes, cutting red tape,
and ensuring we have an educated workforce. If we take these steps and leverage our assets, we will create a competitive environment that makes Rhode Island the most affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.
Source: Press release on 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website
Jul 13, 2022
On Health Care:
COVID testing contract leads to dispute with the state
Kalus's company is slated to begin closed-door mediation proceedings with the R.I. Department of Health over the firm's COVID-19 testing contract with the state. Doctors Test Centers, which Kalus started with her husband early in the pandemic, won a
nearly $8 million testing contract from Rhode Island. By January, the relationship between company executives and state health officials had deteriorated, as both sides threatened legal action and law enforcement became involved.
Source: WPRI on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
May 2, 2022
On Principles & Values:
As a former Golden Gloves boxer, I am a fighter
I started working at a pizza shop when I was only 15. I have been a hostess, a waitress, a barista, and worked retail--working two jobs and still struggling to make it financially--an experience far too many
Rhode Islanders still face today. As we take this journey, I will never forget my roots. And as a former Golden Gloves boxer, I am a fighter, and I will be the people of Rhode Island's champion.
Source: 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website AshleyKalus.com
Sep 14, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Names Ron DeSantis as her most admired elected official
In one of the most revealing moments at a gubernatorial forum in May, the candidates were asked which elected official, living or dead, they most admire. Republican Ashley Kalus named Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.On˙the Democratic side, Gov.
Dan McKee said˙Barack Obama. Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes said FDR. Former Secretary of State Matt Brown said the late civil rights icon John Lewis. Progressive advocate Luis-Daniel Munoz said˙Bobby Kennedy and current Secretary of State
Nellie Gorbea named Civil War-era˙Gen. Joshua Chamberlain.
Has that changed? In light of recent news out of Florida, Democratic Gov. Dan McKee's campaign is asking: to what extent do DeSantis' actions in
Florida represent˙Kalus' plans˙for Rhode Island? "It's alarming that Ashley Kalus holds up the most extreme and divisive Governor in America as her model for leadership," McKee's campaign manager said.
Source: Providence Journal on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Sep 13, 2022
On Tax Reform:
Will fight for Rhode Islanders by lowering their tax burden
My life has been dedicated to education and community service, and I will bring that same passion to Rhode Island. I will fight to ensure that parents can send their children to the best schools possible, I will fight to keep more money in
Rhode Islander's pockets by lowering their tax burden, I will fight for pro-job policies to spur economic growth, and most importantly, I will fight for the people of this great state.
Source: 2022 Rhode Island Governor campaign website AshleyKalus.com
Sep 14, 2022
On Tax Reform:
Raising RI's marginal tax rate would hurt competitiveness
Kalus said a proposal to raise Rhode Island's top marginal income tax rate from 5.99 to 8.99% on income of more than $475,000 could hurt the state's competitiveness. "We would have the highest marginal tax rate east of the Mississippi," she said.
Actually, New York has a top income tax rate of 10.9% and New Jersey has a top rate of 10.75%. Kalus noted that New York's 10.9% rate applies to income of $25 million or more, and New Jersey's 10.75% rate applies to income of $1 million or more.
Source: Boston Globe on 2022 Rhode Island Gubernatorial race
Apr 7, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023