Aaron Guckian

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says his first priority is affordability: reducing taxes and fees and lowering energy costs where possible.[1]
• Proposes a "Rhode Island Works Smarter" initiative to cut waste, modernize state government and have frontline employees identify inefficiencies.[1]
• Proposes expanding housing by streamlining permitting, including a Turnkey Housing Initiative for veterans.[1]
• Describes himself as a "middle of the road Republican" and campaigns on what he calls compassionate conservatism.[2]
• Says he would expand training pipelines and incentives to address shortages of primary care doctors and dentists.[3]

Background

• Executive director, Rhode Island Dental Association · About three years, until 2025[2]
• Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, 2022 Rhode Island election · 2022[2],[4]
• Development officer (fundraising), Rhode Island Foundation · Dates not listed[4],[2]
• Vice president, BankNewport; officer, The Washington Trust Company, Banking · Dates not listed[4]
• Special assistant to Gov. Donald Carcieri, Office of the Governor of Rhode Island · 2003–2011 (Carcieri's two terms)[4],[2]
• Music teacher, North Kingstown High School · Two years[2],[5]

Education

• Bachelor's degree, music and education, Connecticut College[4]
• Master's degree, music, Rhode Island College[4]
• MBA, Johnson & Wales University[4]

Where they stand

• Taxes
  Proposes targeted tax relief, lower fees and cuts to what he calls wasteful spending; supports a temporary suspension of the state gas tax.[3],[5]
• Energy & Environment
  Supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy and a review of climate-related mandates and fees for cost; supports investment in offshore and advanced wind, geothermal and other new technologies, and disagreed with the 2025 federal halt of the Revolution Wind project.[1],[2]
• Education
  Proposes a reading- and math-focused curriculum modeled on Mississippi's turnaround, plus vocational and technical career pathways.[5],[3]
• Health Care
  Supports incentives and student loan reimbursement to recruit and keep health care providers, and says addiction treatment and mental health care should be priorities.[3],[2]
• Housing
  Supports reducing local permitting barriers to housing but says he does not believe in state mandates on communities.[2],[1]
• Abortion
  Personally opposes abortion, according to Rhode Island Current; says he would not reverse abortion protections already in state law, and in an October debate said social issues have already been settled.[2],[5]
• Transgender Athletes
  Answered "no" when asked in an October debate whether transgender women and girls should be allowed to play women's sports.[5]

Voting record

Aaron Guckian has not held an office with a recorded voting record. See Background and Where they stand.

In their words