Meet Todd Giroux, (D) Candidate for Rhode Island Governor

May 16, 2014 6:23 pm

by ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis

Five candidates for Rhode Island governor are household names.

Then there is independent candidate–turned Democrat, Todd Giroux, who is waging a “David versus Goliath” campaign.

“Send a message that says the legislature needs to do something different. Other states are succeeding; we’re failing behind. There’s a people’s candidate in this race. I have a vision and I need your support for that,” said Todd Giroux, (D) Candidate for Governor.

Giroux’s economic plan calls for a waterfront arcade in Providence, that ties into Waterfire; a four–hundred million dollar fund to fix state roads, bridges and buildings; and a 200 million dollar loan fund for property owners and small businesses.

“It’s a win–win. It’s interest income for the state. And it gives mobility to those small businesses for the purchase of equipment, to enhance – you know – jobs and hiring,” said Giroux.

ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis, “Here’s some more background information on Todd Giroux. By profession, he is a contractor who makes his home in Bristol. He also ran for Governor as an independent in 2010.”

On social issues, Giroux is the only candidate for Governor who wants to legalize recreational marijuana.

“I’d like to see Rhode Island be the Amsterdam of the East Coast. If we’re not first, we’re going to be last. It would be a boon for tourism… (Reporter Question: Do you think the state could make money off of it?) “I do. I think we’re going to make a lot of money in tax revenue,” Giroux added.

Giroux is the most fervent of the candidates in opposing any gun control, recently speaking at a gun owner’s rights rally at the State House.

“I support those folks, and I don’t believe in mass criminalization,” said Giroux.

Q: You don’t want assault weapons banned? You don’t want ammunition taxed? Those are the bills that are in the General Assembly…

“Folks have a right to defend their homes and their property and their businesses,” said Giroux.

Overall Giroux says only he has unique economic plans to turn the state around.

“This has to happen for Rhode Island. We cannot wait. Rhode Island needs somebody to take this issue; understand labor; bring those tools of finance to the table and get thousands of people to work quickly.”

Todd Giroux also wants to create an office of Inspector General in Rhode Island, to go over all state contracts and legislative actions in an effort to weed out corruption in government.