CRU-Endorsed Candidates
CRU has endorsed a slate of candidates who are Democrats, Republicans, and Unaffiliated and are putting aside state and national political views, working together to put the TOWN back in Charlestown. Our endorsed candidates all agree and pledge that Charlestown's government should work for and represent all of its residents.
Platform Statement of CRU-Endorsed Candidates
Our candidates worked together to write their campaign platform. Please read it here.
Deborah Ann Carney - Town Council
Deborah Carney currently serves as the Town Council President and has 22 years experience in public service to Charlestown During that time, she served in various elected and volunteer positions in Charlestown and in the Chariho School District. She is a seasoned public servant and is a passionate advocate for the residents of Charlestown.
As a resident and taxpayer, Deb has the same concerns about the tax rate, the value of education, shoreline access, local businesses, and affordable community living as all residents do. Deb has proven that she does the research necessary to make informed decisions. Deb Carney has made a difference in Charlestown and will continue to do so because she is willing to stand up for all residents and make Charlestown a better place to live, work, and play.
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Grace F. Klinger - Town Council
Over the past 40 years Grace Klinger has taken on Community Leadership roles in various places she has called home. Grace and her husband relocated several times due to corporate transfers and were fortunate to live in many wonderful Communities while raising a Family.
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Grace currently serves on the Charlestown Town Council, having been elected in 2020. She is the Council Liaison to the Wastewater Commission.
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Grace was formerly the Chair of the Conservation Commission before being elected to the Town Council.
Lorna Persson - Town Council
Lorna has been a resident of Charlestown for the past 33 years, where her husband and she have worked and raised their 3 children. She has had a 40-year career at The Nordic, a successful family-run restaurant in Town.
She currently is serving as a member of the Charlestown Economic Improvement Commission.
Lorna believes that a healthy democracy begins at the local level and that town leadership should reflect the entire community. If elected, she pledges to: Listen to her constituents and fellow councilors; Educate herself and her community about issues that are important to all townspeople; Respect the interests and ideas of many; Balance a broad spectrum of visions and ideals when making decisions, creating policy and governing.
Richard "Rippy" Serra - Town Council
Rippy Serra is a respected leader who believes in team building, and that service to others is an important aspect of life. It’s why he’s previously served a two-year term on the Charlestown Town Council, and on the Parks and Recreation committee, and the Ninigret Park Subcommittee.
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He is an entrepreneur who has grown Rippy's Liquor & Marketplace from a humble beginning of 3 employees to more than 30 employees over the course of 40 years.
A long-time member of the Charlestown Chamber of Commerce, he has served as its Vice President, worked on the Charlestown Seafood Festival, and worked as Co-Chair to bring the Big Apple Circus to Charlestown.
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Rippy and his wife Cammi have raised 4 adult children and enjoy spending time with their 2 grandchildren.
Stephen J. Stokes - Town Council
Stephen has been a resident of Charlestown since childhood and takes pride in the Charlestown community of both past and present. In addition to professional work in the fire service, Stephen has participated and served as a volunteer for Charlestown Ambulance and fire. Outside Stephen’s passion for EMS/Fire Services, he has worked with members of the Town Council and Planning Commission to help deliver the Solarize Charlestown Initiative and served on the Economic Improvement Commission. Stephen currently resides in Charlestown with his family where he also enjoys reading, playing music, and fine woodworking.
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Stephen has served on Charlestown's Zoning Board of Review since April 2021.
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For more information you can visit Stephen's personal website here.
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NEW: Watch an interview where Stephen discusses his positions on town issues here.
Gabrielle "Abby" Godino - Planning Commission
Abby Godino is South County raised, a URI graduate, and bought her first home in Charlestown -a foreclosure- in 2017.
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She is a forward-thinking organizer who has fought to pass state laws on consumer protections for student loan borrowers, net neutrality, overdose prevention, and workers’ rights.
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Abby owns and operates a commercial masonry contracting company.
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Patricia A. Stamps - Planning Commission
Patricia has been an active member of the Charlestown community for over 35 years. She moved to Charlestown as a young single mom and raised two very intelligent women. She has 4 beautiful grandchildren whom she spends as much time with as possible enjoying Charlestown's many resources.
Patricia holds a Real Estate license with Randall Realtors here in Charlestown, listing and selling properties in our beautiful coastal community. She is also a part of The Breachway Grill team.
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Patricia currently serves as First Alternate on Charlestown' s Planning Commission which she was elected to in 2020.
Charles W. "Charlie" Beck - Town Moderator
Charlie Beck has lived in Charlestown for 42 years, 40 of which he has co-owned the Charlestown Mini Super with his brother Tim. Charlie served on the Charlestown Town Council from 1992 to 2000. He served as Town Council President for six of those eight years.
He is the current Town Moderator, since first elected in 2018.