Rhode Island State Senate District 1 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Rhode Island, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Rhode Island State Senate District 1 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Rhode Island State Senate District 1

Incumbent Maryellen Goodwin defeated Niyoka Powell in the general election for Rhode Island State Senate District 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Maryellen Goodwin (D)	80.9	3,138
		Niyoka Powell (Independent)	18.6	720
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	19

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,877
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Community First: Providing a well-funded plan to tackle homelessness, safety, and access to healthcare / childcare

Family Values: where cultural acceptance is shared as we all desire the ability to provide the fundamentals of a good home.

Education: One that prepares the youth for adulting and becoming a productive member of society and the required understanding of personal finance.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Currently, Senate 2219 and House 8230, which now makes sexual relations perpetrated by a person with a position of authority over children between 14 and 18 illegal.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Althea Gibson. She was the first black notable tennis and professional golf player known on the international stage. Ms. Gibson broke down barriers where no one thought she could. At a time of social injustice and blatant discrimination against black people, Althea Gibson kept composure and class while dominating the court and the golf course. Her focus was impenetrable unlike most today. I believe in work. Hard work. I've done so all my life. There is no doubt regardless of this campaign, my hard work will never end until the community is where it needs to be.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

The Amistad.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

To uphold the best interests of the people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

I'm approachable.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Senators hold conferences to inform the community on new legislation and its impact on the community. Shares and introduces legislation. Attend to and represent constituents. Votes on legislation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

None. I'm doing my civic duty as an American.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

9/11. I was 14 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

My first job was working in the gallery for my parents. My father is a master craftsman. I remember sweeping up sawdust in the woodshop at the age of 13. I worked there all through grade school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

The Grapes of Wrath. It was a book about struggle and how to overcome the circumstances or your plight.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Senator Padme Amidala.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Bruno from Encanto.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

I was a single mother.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

The governor is to be a deciding vote when state legislature is in dismay but shall only echo the voice of the people in their majority.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Economic stability which can only be achieved though appropriate education for the youth.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

People can be easily swayed by lobbyists.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

No.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Yes, because it's not about me.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Knowing and assessing why population increases or decreases are happening in an area before redrawing community lines would make more sense. Redistricting sounds like a distribution of poverty into other towns rather than solving the problem.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Water Resource Board

Health and Human Services CRMC Reorganization

Child Care

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

No.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

That's a loaded question. No one knows what the future holds.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Yes. I recently spoke with a woman who had been homeless for 10 years only to find herself on the line of homelessness once again due to the dramatic changes of inflationary prices in the cost of living of the city and pending increases in public utilities. She's already on fixed income. I also spoke with someone who's child is mentally challenged and they're having difficulties ascertaining the help needed to assist their child throughout the school year due to lack of resources per the school department. In both cases these women are utilizing the resources available to them but are having a hard time maintaining said resources due to lack of funding.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Life.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Niyoka Powell (Independent)

Yes.

See also

More about these elections:

• Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2022

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