GOP business owner Ashley Kalus to run for governor | Madison.com Health, Sports Health & Fitness

PROVIDENCE, RI (AP) — Ashley Kalus, a businesswoman who has never sought political office before, announced Tuesday that she is seeking the Republican nomination for governor of Rhode Island.

She is listed as an executive at Doctors Test Centers, which landed two multimillion-dollar contracts with the state to administer coronavirus vaccines and testing across the state. She and her husband moved from Illinois to buy a house in Newport last May.

“Ask yourself: Who has Rhode Island changed for? Every day gets harder for working families,” she said in a video announcing her candidacy. “We’re getting killed at the pumps, food prices are skyrocketing, it costs more to heat our home, incomes don’t match inflation, the dream of owning a home is out of reach for many, and we pay more for health care and receive less. As a mother of three school-aged boys, I understand these struggles.

She listed her priorities as education, strengthening the economy, creating jobs, affordability, health care, the opioid crisis, infrastructure, affordable housing and caring for residents. the most vulnerable in the state.

In his announcement, Kalus touted his experience in building multiple businesses and creating jobs.

“Ashley believes you’re a different kind of leader when you start a business from scratch, build it, and help others achieve their own success,” her statement said.

Several Democrats are in the running, including incumbent Daniel McKee; Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea; former Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown; Helena Foulkes, former CVS Health executive; and community activist Dr. Luis Daniel Muñoz.