Professor June Speakman to represent District 68 as state representative in Bristol and Warren
Photo courtesy of Kayla Ebner
Kayla Ebner | Editor-in-Chief
June Speakman was elected by voters to become a state representative for District 68 with 40 percent of the votes.
She defeated three candidates, Libertarian William Hunt Jr., Independent James McCanna III and Independent Rep. Kenneth Marshall, on Tuesday, March 5 in a special election.
The RWU political science professor has been busy for the past few months on the campaign trail, knocking doors and visiting Bristol and Warren residents to earn their vote.
And that she did.
Representative-elect Speakman took home 789 of the total 1,997 votes. She received 543 votes in the Bristol districts and 246 votes in Warren.
“I want to thank the voters of Bristol and Warren for believing in our campaign and for choosing me to be your new state representative,” Speakman said in a statement following the results. “We deserve a government that is transparent and accountable to the people it serves.”
WPRI Investigative Reporter Tim White tweeted that Speakman is the first woman to hold District 68’s seat in over 60 years, according to the librarian for the office of Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. The latest before her was Democrat Gladys M. Brightman, who served for Bristol’s 2nd District for the House of Representatives from 1945-1956.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse expressed his excitement for Speakman.
“I’m proud to support June Speakman for state representative in this special election because I know she will serve the people of Bristol and Warren well,” said Whitehouse. “June has the background and experience to get things done at the State House.”
RWU political science major Thomas Wallace said Speakman’s win was well deserved.
“Unlike some of her opponents, she ran a positive campaign focused on the issues,” he said. “I think that’s why she was able to excite voters and get them to the polls.
This article was updated at 10:37 a.m. on March 7.
