NORTH SMITHFIELD – District 48 Rep. Brian Newberry will seek another term in office representing North Smithfield and Burrillville, he announced this week.
The Republican representative, who lives in North Smithfield, noted that he hopes to continue putting forward an agenda that involves less regulation and lower taxes.
Newberry was first elected in 2008 and served as the House Minority Leader from May 2011 through November 2016, when he chose not to seek re-election. Before that, he served as Minority Whip. He currently serves on the House Committee on Labor, the House Committee on Oversight and the House Committee on Rules.
The northern Rhode Island representative received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993, and earned his Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law in 1996. He works as a partner in the law firm of Donovan Hatem LLP.
Locally, Newberry is a Little League and Soccer Association Coach, and member of Central Congregational Church, and is the former vice-chairman of the North Smithfield Republican Town Committee. He is also the former chairman of the North Smithfield Juvenile Hearing Board.
In a release announcing his campaign, Newberry pointed to his consistent fight against wasteful spending and the resulting tax increases.
“I have fought to eliminate the abuse-ridden legislative grant program and been a consistent advocate against growth in government generally and in attempting to get my legislative colleagues to adopt a different perspective on many issues,” he said. “Now more than ever we need elected officials who advocate for policies aimed at economic growth, job creation and lowering the cost of living and doing business in Rhode Island.”
Newberry warned of the potentially harmful long-term implications of short-sighted budgetary decisions in the wake of economic fallout from Covid-19, and pointed to his stance against unnecessary regulations on small business.
Newberry is married to Beth Newberry and the couple has three children, Diane, Liam and Aidan. He is currently the only candidate who has announced a run for the District 48 seat representing all of North Smithfield and a portion of Burrillville.
“I believe I have been a consistent advocate for the people of our rural corner of the state and I am hopeful that the people of North Smithfield and Burrillville have been happy with my efforts on their behalf and will see fit to return me to office this fall,” Newberry said.
NRI NOW is offering all local candidates the opportunity to discuss their background and platform. Those interest should send biographic information to [email protected].