Two perspectives on rent control in Providence House District 7 primary

Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a six-part series on state legislative races, chosen based on expected competitiveness between candidates and relevant issues to the district. Of the 113 seats in the Rhode Island General Assembly, all of which are elected every two years, 22 have primaries in September.

A mayoral veto has at least temporarily killed the Providence City Council’s signature rent stabilization initiative, but the philosophical clash over rent control lives on through the House District 7 Democratic primary.

On one side is Jo-Ann Ryan. First elected to the City Council in 2014, Ryan, who is term-limited, hopes to continue representing the capital city at the State House. The open House seat was formerly held by David Morales, who is now running for Providence mayor.

Ryan was a vocal critic of the rent stabilization ordinance that dominated the city’s policy decisions this year — she was the only council member opposed to the initiative who attended the special Friday night meeting in which progressives unsuccessfully attempted to override the mayoral veto.  

“Rent stabilization has not worked in any municipality across the country,” Ryan said. Of the city’s proposal, she added, “it would immediately increase rents and kill development and construction jobs.”

Not to Amy Santiago. The first-time candidate suggested a statewide rent stabilization law as one of her top priorities if elected.

“I know it’s an uphill battle,” Santiago said.

So too is her vision for Medicaid for All, but “if you shoot for the stars and it falls short, that’s great too.”

Backed by the progressive group Rhode Island Working Families Party, Santiago has also received the endorsements of the District 7 Democratic Committee and Morales. 

But she admits she was reluctant to pursue elected office, preferring to devote her time to advocacy and outreach for the unhoused and others in crisis. 

A former public school teacher and social worker, Santiago now works as the regional access point coordinator for The WARM Center in Westerly. Her focus on housing and social safety net programs reflects her line of work along with her experiences as a single mother who previously received federal food assistance and disability benefits, and a member of the Kanienke community, also known as Mohawk.

“I’ve been that mom,” said Santiago. “Now that I have the means to do so, I really try to advocate for folks that feel like they’re not seen and not heard.”

More than half of the district’s residents identify as Hispanic or Latino. Nearly 1 in 5 households received federal food assistance, and 12% were below the federal poverty level, according to 2024 U.S. Census Bureau estimates. 

Ryan also puts her personal and professional experiences at the center of her campaign. A lifelong resident of the neighborhood she seeks to represent, she touts her community ties and financial expertise — she works as a vice president for Customers Bank — as reasons for her success on the city council.

“I’ve got a strong track record of delivering results for my community and the city as a whole, and I will bring that knowledge to the State House,” Ryan said.

For example, Ryan helped craft a first-of-its-kind city affordable housing bond, funded not by private and institutional investors, but through a portion of the tax revenue from Providence development projects. She hopes to replicate the initiative on a statewide scale as a means to bridge the financing gap often cited as a delay for new housing.

More resources for Providence police and firefighters and students in the Providence Public School District, newly returned to local control, are also on Ryan’s to-do list if elected.

Ryan described herself as a centrist who “leans left on social issues,” while Santiago said she tends toward socialist priorities. Both supported the assault-style weapons sale ban approved by the General Assembly in 2025, and the charter school moratorium signed into law in June.

Santiago was enthusiastic about the millionaire’s tax included in the fiscal 2027 budget, answering “100% yes” when asked if she would have supported it. Ryan was unsure, noting that it could “discourage new investment.” 

However, Ryan has the endorsement of the influential Rhode Island AFL-CIO. The labor group was a vocal advocate for the millionaire’s tax. 

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Christopher Ireland in the Nov. 3 general election.