Kim Ahern

Kim Ahern earned a bachelor's degree from Providence College in 2006 and a law degree from Roger Williams University in 2009. Her career experience includes working as a deputy chief of staff in the office of Gov. Daniel McKee (D), a legal counsel, a special assistant attorney general, and a law clerk. Ahern has been affiliated with the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Kim Ahern is ready to fight for Rhode Island. From the courtroom to the State House, Kim has the experience, dedication, & vision to keep Rhode Islanders safe — now & for future generations.

Kim has served at the highest levels of RI state government. A trusted prosecutor for 9 years, Kim served as a Special Assistant Attorney General under three RI AGs. She fought to uphold the law & protect RIers, prosecuting over 1,000 cases in the Special Victims Unit, as well as environmental crimes to protect RIers’ air & water. She served as the AG’s representative on the RI Commission on Prejudice & Bias, working closely with the office’s Civil Division, focusing on hate crimes & training police departments across RI on civil rights, antisemitism, & LGBTQ+ issues.

Kim went on to serve as a senior counselor to RI’s past two governors. Appointed as Deputy Counsel to Governor Gina Raimondo & Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Dan McKee, Kim was a trusted advisor on a range of policy and legal matters, including juvenile justice reform, reentry support, & housing. When the COVID-19 crisis hit RI, Kim helped lead RI's response, including efforts to provide food, housing, & other supports to RI's most vulnerable populations.

Most recently, Kim served as the first-ever Chairperson of the RI Cannabis Control Commission, where she successfully built a new, independent state agency, balancing economic opportunity with public health safeguards.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Keeping Rhode Island safe: Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the damage caused by violent offenders and the responsibility the AG has to hold them fully accountable. As AG, I will put the criminal prosecution unit front-and-center, aggressively prosecute violent offenders, stand up for victims, & fight to keep our communities safe. I will also vigorously enforce our civil rights laws, strengthen hate crime prevention & prosecution, and ensure law enforcement has the tools and training needed to respond effectively. Public safety also means recognizing when treatment & support are more effective than incarceration. As AG, I will work to expand diversion opportunities while still prioritizing accountability & safety.Protecting our fundamental rights: When the Trump administration attacks RIers and threatens our fundamental rights, the AG is the first line of defense. I will stand up to unlawful federal actions that harm our communities, whether on immigration, health care access, reproductive freedom, voting rights, or environmental protections. That includes making sure RIers understand their rights when approached by ICE or other federal law enforcement so no one is intimidated, targeted, or stripped of protections guaranteed under the law. As AG, I will not hesitate to take the Trump administration to court when it oversteps its authority or puts our residents at risk. I will use the full power of the office to fight back.Standing up for working families: RI's working families are hurting as costs continue to rise. As AG, I will prioritize consumer protection & ensure the office is fully engaged in its regulatory roles: fighting for lower utilities & scrutinizing health care deals that prioritize profits over patients.

Fighting for workers is core to my commitment to public service. As AG, I will be a strong partner to our unions by defending the right to organize, enforcing prevailing wage & wage theft laws, & holding bad faith actors accountable. I will work closely with the Dept. of Labor & Training to ensure workers are paid what they earn, & I will not hesitate to take legal action when the law is broken.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy are fundamental rights that must be protected. I was proud to serve on Governor Gina Raimondo’s team when RI enshrined the protections of Roe v. Wade into state law, ensuring that the right to choose is safeguarded here at home even as it comes under attack nationally. As AG, I will be ready to defend that law & ensure every RIer has the right to choose whether, how, and when to start a family. At a time of continued and coordinated efforts to roll back reproductive rights across the country, RI needs an AG who will stand firm, go to court when necessary, & use the full power of the office to protect access to reproductive health care, privacy, & dignity for all.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Rhode Island State Representative Edith Ajello

Woonsocket Mayor Christopher Beauchamp

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena, Jr.

Johnston Democratic Town Committee

Former Governor and DNC Chair Howard Dean

United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP)

EMILYs List

Victory Fund

LPAC

Vote Mama PAC