Shekarchi Endorses Hazelwood for Mayor

WARWICK, RI  — RI Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (District 23-D) has endorsed Leah Hazelwood for Mayor of Warwick in the Nov. 5 2024 election.

“Leah has been a a fighter her entire career, and she is the champion Warwick needs,” Shekarchi said, “She has the support of the federal, state, and local elected leaders who have invested millions into the city. We deserve a Mayor who is transparent on how they lead and responsible in spending our taxpayer dollars. With her decades of experience supporting those who need a helping hand, I know Leah Hazelwood is the right candidate to lead our city. I fully endorse Leah Hazelwood for Mayor of Warwick.”

Shekarchi, 61, an attorney practicing in Warwick, and a city resident, has represented his district since 2013, and was the Democratic Majority Leader from 2017 to 2021 before his colleagues elected him Speaker of the House in 2021 and 2023.

“I am honored to earn Speaker Shekarchi’s endorsement,” Hazelwood said. “I have worked closely with Speaker Shekarchi as he invests critical resources into our public school system, and I admire his commitment to providing affordable housing to the residents of  Warwick and Rhode Island. As Mayor, I will continue to work side by side with the Speaker to ensure we secure funds to improve our city’s infrastructure, continue to invest in needed improvements to our school facilities, increase access to affordable housing, and support our small business community.

Hazelwood for Mayor makes her case

Hazelwood, a Warwick resident for more than 50 years, raised her children as a single mom. She spent 22 years as a Special Education teacher in the Warwick Public School system. After retiring from teaching, Leah represented Dist. 2 on the Warwick School Committee, where she currently serves as Vice Chair.

On her campaign website, Hazelwood pledges to run, ” most accessible, transparent and open administration in Warwick’s history.”  She writes that city government will be open, accessible and will provide information citizen’s want and need.

“On day one we will commence an outside audit of  city wide spending,” she wrote.

Hazelwood said she’ll also prioritize aging schools and parks, reduce hoops small businesses have to go through, and take a strategic view and long-term planning  on challenges, “No more bandaids.”

The challenger vowed on Hazelwood for Mayor to respond to calls and emails, and increase public access to the office.

“We will host public meetings with the Mayor every month in public places, no appointment needed.  Citizens will be listened to, heard and helped in city Hall.   have been responsive in my role as a School committee member, and will be responsive in this role,” she wrote.

Hazelwood is among three candidates challenging incumbent Independent Mayor Frank Picozzi this year, which will elect the winner to the city’s first four-year term. The four-year term was put on the ballot in 2022 by the Warwick City Council following a lengthy debate.

The ballot measure asked voters to change Warwick Mayoral term limits to two four-year terms and City Council members to six two-year terms. It passed with 20,902 votes approving, versus 11984 against. Up until now,  the Mayoral and Council terms were for two years, with an unlimited number of terms voters could choose them for office. The new term limits take effect in 2025.

 Hazelwoods’ fellow challengers include Independent candidates Patrick E. Maloney, Jr. and John Dale Ritchie.