Giarrusso Files for Third House District 30 Term

EAST GREENWICH, RI—State Rep. Anthony Giarrusso has been serving East Greenwich and portions of West Greenwich's House District 30 since 2012.

And the Republican is ready for another two years.

Giarrusso, who describes himself as an outspoken critic of state spending and one-party government, filed his declaration of candidacy papers at East Greenwich Town Hall today to seek a third term.

In a statement, Giarrusso listed a number of his accomplishments as a member of the General Assembly to the benefit of East Greenwich, including, handling legislation to enable the town to acquire the East Greenwich Fire District and create a town-run fire department; spearheading a bill "giving cities and towns greater latitude in tax mailings,"; and "gained acceptance of a measure authorizing a series of tax exemptions for East Greenwich residents."

That was in his first term. In 2014, he sponsored a bill to expand national background checks to include all school employees, including contractors.

Though he's one of a minority of Republicans in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, Giarrusso said he's close to action and influencing policy decisions, serving on the House Committees on Finance and Labor, and House Finance Subcommittees on Education and Human Services.

A father of four, Giarrusso lives in East Greenwich with his wife, Janet.

His foray into politics in 2012 was driven by a desire to make Rhode Island a place where children would want to stay to grow up and raise their families.

"The number one reason is it breaks my heart that everybody that's got a college-age kid tells them, 'Get your diploma and get out of this state,'" he said the first time he filed declaration of candidacy papers at Town Hall.

Giarrusso's life is an example of the American dream. Born on Italy, he came with his parents to the United States as a young boy. After graduating from Rhode Island College, he started a jewelry company, AG&G, in 1986. The successful family business is located in Johnston.