The biggest issue is affordability, plain and simple. Whether it’s housing, utilities, groceries, or local taxes, Rhode Islanders are being squeezed from all sides.

Families are making tough choices, and too many are asking whether they can afford to stay here.

Our state government needs to focus less on growing bureaucracy and more on creating a stable environment where people can live, work, and retire without fear of being priced out.

I believe we can get there by bringing fiscal discipline, accountability, and a local voice back to the State House.

We need to make it easier, not harder, to do business in Rhode Island. That starts with cutting red tape, streamlining permitting, and reducing costs for small employers.

But it also means supporting the people who make those businesses run — improving workforce training, childcare access, and housing options so workers can afford to live where they work.

If we grow responsibly and manage our budget wisely, we can strengthen both families and local businesses.

At the same time, the state needs to look hard at its spending habits. If we manage our budget wisely and cut waste, we can lower the tax burden that’s driving people and jobs elsewhere.

Rhode Island’s greatest challenge is that too many people can’t afford to stay here. Housing, energy, and everyday costs are pushing families out, and that’s weakening our population and workforce.

We need practical solutions that encourage new housing where it makes sense, support first-time homebuyers, and make it easier for builders to get projects approved, without changing the character of our communities.

When people can afford to live here, they’ll stay, work, and invest here too.

Every time we lose a family, a graduate, or a retiree, it weakens our economy and our communities.

The solution isn’t just about taxes. It’s about creating a climate of opportunity. That means strong schools, modern infrastructure, and a business environment that rewards effort.

If we make Rhode Island a place where people want to stay, everything else will follow.

I’m running because I believe Rhode Island can do better, and District 36 deserves a stronger voice at the State House.

I’ve spent my life building things, managing teams, and balancing real budgets, not political ones. I understand how state and federal decisions ripple through our towns and impact families and businesses.

I’m not a career politician; I’m someone who’s lived and worked here for decades, and I know what makes our communities thrive.

My approach is simple: listen, find common ground, and get results that actually make life better for the people who live here.

I know what makes our communities special, and I want to bring common sense, accountability, and local experience to the State Senate.

As the grandson of immigrants, my greatest inspiration comes from my grandparents. All were survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

Both sides of my family came to America under the worst circumstances imaginable, having lost nearly everything and everyone they loved.

They arrived with no money, didn’t know English, and had no safety net, but they found strength and community here in Rhode Island, where a vibrant Armenian community had already begun to take root.

Armenians have always been centered around family, faith, and perseverance. My grandparents built a new life through hard work and humility, and they passed down a deep sense of gratitude and purpose.

Whenever I face a challenge, I think about what they endured and overcame, and it reminds me that no problem I face today compares to what they lived through.

Their story is a daily reminder of resilience, perspective and the value of community. They are the same values that drive me to serve and give back to the state they helped build.

Rhode Islanders are working harder than ever just to keep up. Between property taxes, utility costs, and everyday essentials, it’s tough for families—and small businesses—to stay ahead.

We need a more balanced approach to state spending and a serious look at how taxes and fees impact working people.

Making housing more attainable, energy more efficient, and regulation more predictable will keep more Rhode Islanders rooted here instead of priced out.

Our coastline isn’t just beautiful, it’s our economic and environmental lifeline. Rising seas, flooding, and erosion are already reshaping our shorelines.

I’ll advocate for smarter coastal management, investment in resilient infrastructure, and practical renewable energy initiatives that protect our beaches, fisheries, and tourism economy while keeping costs fair for residents.

Protecting the Ocean State starts right here in South County.

Too many of our graduates pack up and leave because they can’t find affordable housing or strong career paths here.

We can fix that by connecting higher education with growing industries, supporting innovation hubs, and creating incentives for first-time homebuyers.

Rhode Island should be the place where young people launch their lives, not leave them behind.

Healthcare costs continue to outpace wages, and provider shortages are making access harder in many areas.

We need to make it easier for doctors and nurses to practice here, expand telehealth access, and reward preventive care instead of reactive care.

Our goal should be simple: make Rhode Island one of the healthiest and most affordable places to live and age with dignity.

Too many lifelong Rhode Islanders are retiring to other states. They do so not because they want to, but because our tax structure makes it hard to stay.

I believe in modernizing our estate and retirement tax policies so we keep our families, our experience, and our wealth in Rhode Island.

We can protect our revenue base and make it easier for people to age in place.

Our schools are the heart of our communities. Strong public education means strong neighborhoods, strong property values, and strong futures.

We need to invest in teachers, modern classrooms, and career training while giving local districts more flexibility, not more bureaucracy.

I believe education dollars should go as directly as possible to students and classrooms, not into layers of administration.

Growth doesn’t have to mean losing what makes us unique.

District 36 thrives on a mix of small businesses, tourism, and year-round residents who care about community character.

Smart zoning, responsible development, and environmental stewardship will let us strengthen our local economy without changing who we are.

Tourism is one of our greatest economic assets, but seasonal workers and small business owners face real challenges.

We should be promoting South County and Block Island year-round, investing in transportation, and supporting affordable seasonal housing.

When we make it easier to work and visit here, we strengthen our entire local economy.

I’ve lived, worked, and built my life with my wife here since 1985. I’ve seen how decisions made at the State House ripple through our towns, affecting everything from school funding to beach access.

My goal is to bring common sense, local experience, and accountability to a system that often feels disconnected.

I’m running because I believe Rhode Island can do better, and District 36 deserves a strong voice that truly listens.