Letter To Editor: Questions For State Senate Candidate Ken Mendonca

PORTSMOUTH, RI — The following is a letter to the editor written by Portsmouth resident Andrew Kelly.

Ken Mendonca is running for Senate District 11. I am curious – why is he running for this Senate seat? He previously represented District 72 in the Rhode Island House for one term. Mr. Mendonca failed to retake that seat twice. My interactions with Ken have always been pleasant. To some, therefore, the rest of this letter may seem needlessly aggressive, but I believe members of our community should ask the following types of questions, not only of Ken, but also of each candidate for whom they cast their very important vote.

What does Ken Mendonca actually DO for our communities? My observance is Ken shows up every two years when he wants to run for office. He is not on one Portsmouth-appointed board or committee, and to my knowledge never has been. Is he on any non-profit boards? Does he volunteer any of his time for our communities?

Most readers know I am extremely active in our community, and have been since before leaving PHS. I know the two Democrats running in the primary are active as well. (My apologies for not knowing the status of Mr. Teixeira’s community involvement.) So when I tell you I only see Ken every two years around election time, it is because I wonder if there is a reason he wants to get back into the State Legislature, which has nothing to do with serving the people of Portsmouth and Bristol. It is my belief any candidate who wants to be an elected public servant will already have served their community in an appointed or volunteer capacity.

I hope Mr. Mendonca sees and responds to the questions in this letter.

Andrew V. Kelly
33 Pine Street
Portsmouth