Gregory Stevens
Candidate, Governor of Rhode Island
Elections and appointments
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Gregory Stevens (Democratic Party) is running for election for Governor of Rhode Island. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on September 8, 2026.[source]
Stevens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Gregory Stevens was born in Warwick, Rhode Island. He earned a high school diploma from the John F. Deering High School. His career experience includes working as a restaurant owner and in real estate development, construction planning, and renovation project management.[1]
Elections
2026
Endorsements
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2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Gregory Stevens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Stevens' responses.
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My name is Greg Stevens. I’m a lifelong Rhode Islander, small-business owner, father, and someone who has spent more than 30 years building jobs, solving problems, and navigating the same challenges that everyday Rhode Islanders face. I founded Pat’s Italian Restaurants and grew it into a multi-location business that employs dozens of people. I didn’t inherit wealth or political connections — I built my career from the ground up, working long hours, managing tight budgets, and learning firsthand how government inefficiency and high costs hold people back.
In my industry, you can’t hide behind titles. If something breaks, you fix it. If costs rise, you adapt. If an employee needs help, you take care of them. That hands-on responsibility shaped the way I see Rhode Island and the way I approach leadership.
I’m running for Governor because I talk to real people every day — seniors struggling with healthcare, families overwhelmed by utility bills, workers trying to stay ahead, and small businesses fighting through red tape just to survive. Rhode Island has incredible potential, but too many people feel ignored by leaders who are out of touch with the realities of daily life.
I’m not a career politician. I’m someone who listens, works hard, and isn’t afraid to make tough decisions. I believe Rhode Island deserves a government that moves faster, costs less, and works for everyone — and I’m ready to deliver that. - Growing Revenue Without Raising Taxes
Rhode Island is leaving money on the table. We lose millions every year in uncollected sales and use taxes, especially from out-of-state contractors, online sellers, and short-term rentals. I’ll strengthen enforcement and modernize tracking so everyone pays their fair share. I’ll also expand tourism — one of our strongest but most underutilized revenue sources — and make government smaller, more efficient, and less expensive to run.
- Safe Communities and Strong Local Economies
A safe state and a strong economy go hand in hand. I’ll work with federal partners to remove violent criminals while supporting prevention and treatment programs that strengthen communities. Small businesses are the backbone of Rhode Island, and I’ll streamline permits, reduce unnecessary regulations, and make it easier to open and grow a business. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, good jobs, and a state that supports opportunity.
- Government That Works for Real People
Rhode Islanders deserve a government that moves faster, wastes less, and actually solves problems. As a business owner, I’ve spent 30 years fixing issues, cutting inefficiency, and being accountable every day — no excuses. As Governor, I will modernize outdated systems, speed up permitting, demand performance from state agencies, and create a government that serves people instead of slowing them down.
I’m passionate about policies that directly improve daily life for Rhode Islanders: lowering the cost of living, making government efficient, and restoring accountability in our public systems. I want to expand revenue through tourism and better tax collection rather than raising taxes. I care deeply about public safety, strengthening small businesses, and protecting seniors who are struggling in an overwhelmed healthcare system. My focus is practical solutions that help real people, not political insiders.
I look up to people who lead with integrity, honesty, and hard work — not necessarily famous figures, but everyday Rhode Islanders who show up, keep their word, and take responsibility for their families and communities. I’m inspired by leaders who stay grounded, listen more than they talk, and never forget where they came from. My mother is a big example for me: she worked hard, stayed humble, and taught me to do what’s right even when no one is watching. That’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to public service.
The most important qualities in an elected official are honesty, accountability, and the courage to make tough decisions. Leaders should listen to real people, not political insiders, and be willing to admit when something isn’t working. An effective official must be transparent with taxpayers, responsible with public money, and focused on results instead of headlines. Above all, they should work hard, show up, and never forget they serve the people who put their trust in them.
The Governor’s core responsibility is to serve the people of Rhode Island with honesty, transparency, and real leadership. That means managing state agencies effectively, protecting public safety, strengthening the economy, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely. The Governor must set a clear direction for the state, remove barriers that hold families and businesses back, and hold every department accountable for results. Most importantly, the job requires listening to citizens and responding to their needs—not political interests.
I want my legacy to be simple: he finished what he started, he wasn’t afraid to take chances, and he always put the people of Rhode Island first. I want folks to look back and say I made decisions based on what was right, not what was politically safe. If people can say I took on tough problems, followed through, and never forgot who I was working for, then I’ll feel I left Rhode Island stronger than I found it.
The assassination of John F Kennedy. 6 years old.
My first job was in the shipping department at Scott Laboratories in West Warwick. 2 years
My favorite book is Bright Flows the River by Taylor Caldwell. It’s a powerful story about the struggle of the mind, the weight we carry, and the battles people fight internally that aren’t always visible to others. The book explores identity, forgiveness, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild a life. It resonated with me because it reminds us that everyone has a deeper story, and that resilience often comes from places we don’t expect. It’s a book that stays with you long after you finish it.
I would want to be someone who leads with courage, loyalty, and a strong sense of responsibility. A character like Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird stands out — someone who stands up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult, and treats everyone with dignity. I admire characters who don’t chase applause, but simply do the right thing because it matters.
One struggle in my life has been trying to understand how religion—something meant to bring people comfort and guidance—can also be used to cause pain, judgment, and division, especially toward people based on their gender or sexual orientation. I’ve seen good people pushed away or made to feel less than because of beliefs that should never be used as weapons. It’s made me reflect deeply on compassion, fairness, and treating everyone with dignity. That struggle is part of why I believe so strongly in equality and respecting every Rhode Islander.
The Governor must also strengthen the state’s economy by lowering the cost of living and supporting small businesses. Rhode Island has enormous potential, but high utility costs, heavy regulations, and slow permitting hold us back. I believe one of the Governor’s most important duties is to create an environment where businesses can grow, families can afford to stay, and opportunity is real. That includes expanding tourism, improving tax collection so everyone pays their fair share, and making government smaller and more efficient instead of raising taxes.
Finally, the Governor must listen. Real leadership requires hearing directly from residents, workers, and business owners—not relying on political insiders. The most important responsibility of all is serving the people with honesty, action, and a commitment to making Rhode Island stronger every day.
I believe the Governor of Rhode Island must be deeply involved in the state’s budgeting process—far more than a figurehead who signs off at the end. Our budget is not just a financial document; it is the clearest expression of priorities, values, and expectations for how government should operate. If the Governor is not hands-on, waste grows, accountability disappears, and agencies drift without direction.
For me, appropriate involvement means the Governor should take full ownership of shaping the budget from the ground up. That includes working directly with agency leaders to justify every dollar, requiring performance-based metrics, eliminating outdated programs, and identifying duplicative spending. A statewide budget should never simply “roll forward” last year’s numbers. Every line item should be questioned: Is it necessary? Is it effective? Is it producing results for taxpayers?
The Governor should also ensure that Rhode Island lives within its means without constantly turning to new taxes or fees. Before asking residents for more money, government must prove it is operating efficiently. That means streamlining departments, modernizing old systems, collecting the revenue the state is already owed, and finding ways to reduce administrative overhead.
Finally, the Governor must look beyond the annual cycle and think long-term. Our state needs a multi-year strategy that strengthens infrastructure, lowers the cost of living, supports small businesses, and protects seniors—while maintaining financial discipline. If given line-item veto power, I would use it to protect taxpayers from wasteful or unnecessary spending. My philosophy is simple: every dollar in the budget should serve a clear purpose that benefits Rhode Islanders. If a line item is excessive, politically motivated, or doesn’t deliver real value, I would veto it. I wouldn’t use this power for show or to score points—I’d use it to keep the budget disciplined, efficient, and focused on the priorities that matter most to families, seniors, and small businesses.
The ideal relationship between the Governor and the legislature is one built on respect, honesty, and a shared commitment to serving the people—not party politics. They don’t have to agree on everything, but they should communicate openly, solve problems together, and keep Rhode Islanders’ needs above political agendas. The Governor should lead with clear priorities and transparency, while the legislature provides strong oversight and collaboration. When both sides work as partners, government works better for everyone.
What I love most about Rhode Island is its spirit. We may be the smallest state, but we have an unmatched sense of pride, resilience, and community. People here look out for one another — neighbors help neighbors, small businesses support local causes, and families stay connected across generations. I love our coastline, our food, our history, and the character of every town, but it’s the people who make Rhode Island special. We are hardworking, honest, and tougher than we get credit for. No matter the challenge, Rhode Islanders show up, speak up, and push forward. That sense of belonging and determination is what makes this state home.
Rhode Island’s greatest challenges in the next decade will come from rapid technological and economic change. Artificial intelligence will reshape entire industries, and we need to prepare our workforce so people aren’t left behind. Electric cars and new transportation technology will put major pressure on our grid, which is already expensive and unreliable. We must modernize infrastructure, improve energy storage, and upgrade transmission without pushing costs onto families. At the same time, the transition to alternative energy must be smart, affordable, and realistic. Offshore wind, solar, and new technologies offer opportunity, but only if we manage them responsibly and ensure they lower rates—not raise them. Our challenge is balancing innovation with cost, protecting workers as industries evolve, and making sure Rhode Island stays competitive while keeping life affordable for the people who live here.
The governor should use emergency powers only in truly urgent situations where immediate action is necessary to protect public safety and maintain essential services. This includes natural disasters, major infrastructure failures, public health emergencies, or threats that require rapid coordination across agencies. Emergency powers should never replace normal government processes or be used for political purposes. They must be limited in scope, time-bound, transparent, and subject to legislative oversight to ensure the public’s rights and freedoms are protected.
A few friends, it's early yet.
A ballot initiative process could benefit Rhode Island if it’s designed carefully. It would give citizens a direct voice on major issues and increase accountability. But it must include safeguards to prevent outside money from dominating campaigns or bypassing thoughtful debate. With the right protections, a limited initiative process could strengthen democracy without overwhelming our small state.
Being the top executive authority means the Governor carries ultimate responsibility for the success, failures, and direction of the state. It means you don’t get to hide behind committees or bureaucratic layers — the responsibility stops at your desk.
To me, it means showing up every day ready to solve problems. It means getting personally involved when something breaks down, whether it’s a failure in healthcare oversight, a public safety issue, or a delay in services that affects families. It means driving the agenda, not watching from the sidelines.
It also means leading with integrity. When you're the top authority, your example becomes the standard. If the Governor cuts corners, everyone below will do the same. If the Governor is transparent, hardworking, and accountable, the culture of government shifts.
It means making decisions quickly and confidently, especially in crises. People look to the Governor for guidance, reassurance, and direction. You cannot hesitate when the state needs action.
Most of all, being the top executive authority means serving with humility. You are not above the people — you are accountable to them. You are responsible for the well-being of every resident, regardless of politics, background, or beliefs. That responsibility is enormous, but it’s also an opportunity to make a real difference. One story that stayed with me came from a woman who told me she’s struggling to find affordable housing. She said she knows many people who've ended up homeless because they couldn’t keep up with their bills, their credit dropped, and suddenly no one would rent to them. What do you tell someone like that? You listen first, because her story is real and far too common. And then you tell her the truth: our system is failing people like her, and we need more affordable options, fairer housing criteria, and support that prevents people from falling so far they can’t get back up. Her story is exactly why I’m running.
You might think I would say running successful businesses, but the accomplishment I’m most proud of is writing two books. Building restaurants took hard work, but writing required a different kind of discipline — digging into my own experiences, reflecting honestly, and putting real emotion onto the page. Finishing those books showed me the power of storytelling and how much we can learn about ourselves when we slow down and write from the heart. It’s something I never expected to do, and it’s one of my proudest achievements.
Rhode Island’s government should embrace artificial intelligence, but with strong oversight and a focus on protecting people. AI can improve healthcare, transportation, public safety, and government efficiency, but it must be used responsibly. The state should set clear standards for transparency, data privacy, and fairness while helping workers and businesses adapt to new technologies. Government’s role is to encourage innovation, prevent misuse, and ensure AI benefits everyone—not just large companies.
I would support legislation that makes our elections secure, efficient, and accessible. That includes modernizing voter rolls, improving cybersecurity, and ensuring every city and town has the resources to run elections smoothly. I would back stronger transparency requirements for mail ballots, clear chain-of-custody rules, and faster reporting processes so the public gets accurate results without delays. I also support expanded early voting and better training for poll workers. My goal is simple: elections that are fair, trusted, and easy to participate in.
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Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on November 28, 2025
