Jeff Toste Runs" for the Rhode Island State Senate in District 5

Jeff Toste, one of Rhode Islands most successful third-party candidates and an experienced community advocate, is running for the State Senate seat in District 5. In 2002 when he ran for the same office, he stunned RI career politicians by winning an unparalleled 23% of the vote. This year Toste is on track to become Rhode Islands first Green State Senator.

Providence, RI (PRWEB) August 3, 2004 -- Jeff Toste, a seasoned community advocate and Co-Chair of the Rhode Island Green Party, began literally running for office last month by jogging through District 5 to meet voters and raise awareness about his State Senate bid. When he competed for the same office in 2002 as a first-time candidate against a member of one of the states political dynasties, Toste won 23% of the vote despite being outspent by his opponent 10-1. No other third-party or Republican candidate seeking a general assembly seat in Providence came close to garnering as much support as Toste did in 2002.

Toste decided to seek office again this year because he feels the incumbent has failed to respond adequately to the critical needs of District 5 and Rhode Island. To address these needs, Toste is campaigning on three principle issues: healthcare for everyone, local living-wage jobs and public and civic education reform.    

When asked about his literal run" Jeff Toste explained, I like to jog in the evening, so I thought that this would also be an opportunity to promote the campaign." Members of the district have reacted positively to the candidates periodic runs. The response has been very positive, because people dont just want to see their elected representatives dressed up in suits at press conferences and formal dinners," Toste said. He further emphasized, I jog in my community, because I work in my community, I eat in my community, I shop in community, I live and participate in my community-I fight for my community."

Tostes decision to run" for his districts Senate seat is just one of the many aspects of his community-driven campaign that sets it apart from his opponents. While the incumbent is relying upon his status as a career politician, Toste is drawing upon an already burgeoning volunteer force of grassroots supporters. Toste also only accepts donations from individuals and never takes money from Political Action Committees (PACs) and corporations.

In the coming months, Toste plans to secure endorsements from several community advocacy groups. In 2002, he earned several key endorsements from these types of organizations, including the RI Latino Political Action Committee, the Million Mom March of RI, the RI National Organization for Women, and the Sierra Club of RI.

Given his community visibility and ever-growing groundswell of financial and volunteer support this year, Toste is on track to become Rhode Islands first Green State Senator.

More about Jeff Toste and His Community Advocacy:
Jeff is a waiter, an artist, and a longtime resident of District 5 who actively works for the RI Green Party as one of its two elected Co-Chairs, as well as with several advocacy groups in his community. Jeff has championed a wide spectrum of issues with various organizations, including: voting reform and fairness as an appointee of RI Secretary of State Matthew A. Browns HAVA (Help America Vote Act) Election Reform Committee; healthcare for all as a member of the SPRI (Single Payer Rhode Island) Task Force; child care providers right to form a union; immigrant licenses as a member of the DMV Coalition; Equal Pay Act as part of the Vote Toste 2002 Senate Campaign; FIP support including lobbying legislators; the Zero Mercury Campaigns letter writing and email efforts; and pushed for improved mass transit legislation.

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