Meet the Candidates: Councilman John Goncalves

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — ABC 6 News spoke with Democratic candidate for the 1st Congressional District special election, Councilor John Goncalves on Wednesday.

In addition to being a Providence City Councilor, Goncalves is a teacher at The Wheeler School and he says engagement with people is what has helped to keep his campaign strong in a race that’s full of different candidates.

“When we think about the cost of housing, the cost of living in Rhode Island, those are big concerns. I’ve been doing that work on the ground floor at the local level for years and years and I think its an important distinction, you know, I’m not parachuting in from somewhere else, I’ve been in the community, doing the work, I’m born and bred, grew up in Providence — and I think those deep-rooted connections really set me apart in this field and I think we’re going to see that play out on election day,” Goncalves said.

The special election for the 1st Congressional District seat to replace former Rep. David Cicilline will take place on Sept. 5.