In response to tonight’s election results, the Working Families Party released the following statement from New England Regional Director Georgia Hollister Isman:

We’re proud of our candidates for their wins tonight, and for their continued work to make sure the working people of their districts have a government that will fight for them. Representatives Cruz and Potter kept their seats, and Kelsey Coletta is poised to beat her incumbent opponent, because voters want what they’re fighting for: better wages and benefits, more affordable housing and healthcare, quality schools and childcare for all Rhode Island kids, and a government that is run not by political insiders or corporate lobbyists, but by people who know firsthand what their districts need.

This election cycle, each of our candidates were challenged by conservative and establishment Democrats who spent tens of thousands of dollars to unseat them. Powerful political machines have been mobilizing against them, with attempts to sow division and harmful, prejudiced narratives, precisely because they have been clear about standing up for working people in the State House and in their communities.

These failed challenges send a clear message: Working Families Democrats are standing up for the people of their districts, even in the face of powerful opposition, and that is political strength, not a weakness. Tonight’s results show that voters will reject attempts at division, and prove that the “radical”narratives—pushed not only by these conservative incumbents, but also by their highly paid consultants, Democratic establishment strategists—are lazy. Lying to voters simply doesn’t work in the Rhode Island of 2024. If future challengers want to win, and especially if they want to win against WFP, they can’t campaign on negativity and fear-mongering, they have to actually deliver progressive results for their districts.