Matthew McDermott —​ Providence Ward 2 City Council Candidate

Matthew McDermott is running for Providence City Council in Ward 2. He took the time to answer some questions from us. Here's what he had to say.

Age: 35

Position sought: Providence City Council, Ward 2 (Blackstone, College Hill, Wayland)

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: I live in Wayland Square with my husband, Dillon, who teaches second grade at Pleasant View Elementary and serves on the Providence Public Library Board of Trustees. We live with our rambunctious dog Theo and cat Yuca.

Education: George Washington University, Washington, D.C., with a B.A. in Political Science and Geography, with a minor in Public Policy; London School of Economics, General Course, Government

Occupation: Senior vice president at Whitman Insight Strategies, a communications strategy and public opinion research firm

Previous or Current Elected Office: None. This is my first run for office.

Campaign Website: MatthewFMcDermott.com

Why are you seeking elected office? My husband and I chose Providence as our home because we believe in its promise — and we’re ready to fight for it. For us, this race is deeply personal. We’re here to grow and raise a family, and this campaign is about building a city that lives up to its promise. Providence faces a once-in-a-generation opportunity to return schools to local control, tackle the housing crisis, and invest in robust public infrastructure. This campaign is about ensuring the next generation can grow up in Providence, get a great education, find a good job, afford a place to call home, and continue to build the future of this incredible city.

The single most pressing issue facing Ward 2 is the return of Providence schools to local control.

Next year, this city faces its most important inflection point in a decade — whether we’re ready to take ownership of our schools and finally deliver the strong public education system families deserve.

I’ve written about this at length in an op-ed for The Providence Eye. My view is simple: local control isn’t just a governance question — it’s about accountability, trust, and our city’s future.

When the state took over in 2019, it was because of dysfunction and fragmentation — no one knew who was in charge. That cannot happen again. This time, we need a clear governance structure that defines responsibilities between the mayor, the council, and the school board. We need fully funded schools, with dollars tied to student outcomes like stronger instruction and multilingual learner support. And above all, we need transparency and meaningful engagement so parents and teachers are shaping decisions before they happen, not reading about them after the fact.

Strong schools are the foundation of strong neighborhoods and a stronger economy. If we get this transition right, Providence can rebuild trust and become a model for urban education. If we fail, we risk another lost decade. I’m running to make sure we get it right — because the future of our kids, and our city, depends on it.

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post?

I’m running as someone who’s here for the long haul — ready to put in the work to deliver on the promise of Providence. The challenges we face, and the opportunities we have, aren’t going to be resolved in the next year or two. Returning schools to local control, tackling the housing crisis, and rebuilding our infrastructure will take years of sustained, engaged leadership. That’s the difference I bring to this race: I’m committed to making an impact — and I’m in this for the long haul.

I’ve also earned the support of organizations like AFSCME Council 94, AFL-CIO, Run for Something, and the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund — a coalition that reflects both my values and the urgency of this moment.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The other issues that define my campaign are all part of my Opportunity Agenda to Build a Better Providence. I’m the only candidate in this race who announced with, and is running on, a concrete, tangible, and targeted agenda — because I believe voters deserve more than broad platitudes, they deserve real plans.

First, tackling the housing crisis. Providence must open the door to more affordable housing and stop the displacement of longtime residents.

Second, investing in stronger neighborhoods. With more than $500 million in capital improvement funds on the way, we have a once-in-a-generation chance to repair our sidewalks and streets, modernize public facilities, support neighborhood business corridors, and build climate-resilient infrastructure.

Third, defending our democracy locally. I’ve spent my career fighting for civil rights, reproductive freedom, and LGBTQ+ equality. On the Council, I’ll ensure city government is transparent, inclusive, and accountable — so people in Providence can trust local government to work for them.

Together with reclaiming our schools under local control, these pillars form the backbone of my campaign. They reflect not just my values, but the urgency I bring to this race. Providence has incredible potential, and my Opportunity Agenda is about ensuring we finally live up to it.

The best advice ever shared with me was “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re on the menu.” It reminds me daily of the importance of inclusive leadership and making sure every community has a voice.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

What I want voters to know is that what happens here at home matters just as much as what happens in Washington. Right now, we’re facing a crisis in confidence in local government — a new URI poll found that only 1 in 10 Rhode Islanders have a great deal of trust in their local leaders. That’s unacceptable.

Trust has to be rebuilt right here at home, by showing up, listening, and being accountable to the people we serve. I believe leadership means being present in our neighborhoods, working alongside residents to solve problems, and making government feel responsive again. Providence can only reach its potential if people believe their voices matter and their leaders are working for them. That’s the kind of council member I intend to be — one focused on restoring trust and delivering results.