Megan Cotter

Megan Cotter was born in Providence, Rhode Island. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island in 2008 and has career experience working as a sales manager.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong Rhode Islander, a mom, and wife who believes government should work for the people it serves. I am running because our state needs leaders who listen, solve problems, and put the interests of families, seniors, workers, and small businesses ahead of politics. I believe in fiscal responsibility, transparent government, and common-sense solutions that protect our communities while creating opportunities for future generations. My goal is to be an accessible, accountable representative who works with anyone willing to improve the lives of Rhode Islanders.

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?

Rhode Islanders are paying some of the highest electric rates in the country, placing unnecessary financial strain on families, seniors, and businesses. I will work to improve energy reliability, increase transparency in utility costs, encourage competition and innovation, and pursue policies that lower electric bills while maintaining a dependable energy supply.Rhode Island is facing a growing shortage of physicians and healthcare providers because reimbursement rates have failed to keep pace with neighboring states. Too many doctors are leaving Rhode Island or choosing not to practice here, making it harder for patients to access timely care. I will advocate for increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates and pursuing policies that make Rhode Island more competitive in attracting and retaining physicians, specialists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Strengthening our healthcare workforce will improve access, reduce wait times, and ensure Rhode Islanders receive the quality care they deserve.Rhode Island's forests and open spaces are among our greatest natural resources. We need proactive forest management that reduces wildfire risk, protects wildlife habitats, improves water quality, and keeps our parks and trails safe for future generations. I support science-based conservation and responsible stewardship that balances environmental protection with public access and public safety.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about solving practical problems that directly affect people’s daily lives. My priorities include strengthening Rhode Island’s healthcare system by retaining doctors and improving reimbursement rates, expanding access to mental health services, reducing high electric rates, and ensuring our schools are properly and fairly funded. I am also passionate about responsible forest management and protecting our natural resources while reducing wildfire risk and keeping our forests healthy for future generations. I believe good public policy should be practical, fiscally responsible, transparent, and focused on delivering measurable results for the people of Rhode Island.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Megan Cotter, and I am the State Representative for District 39 in Richmond, Hopkinton, and Exeter. When I ran, I knocked on doors after work and on weekends, and I heard concerns about rising taxes, trash services, funding for our schools and protecting our open spaces. I met many caring people who, like me, were nervous about the future.

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As a working mom, I went to the State House to get things done. Rhode Island families deserve better from state government, and we need a voice in the General Assembly that understands this district, and promotes compassion and unity over hatred and division, and gets things done.

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?

As your state representative, I’ve prioritized safeguarding our forests and natural resources, crucial to our community’s future. I led efforts to address the spongy moth infestation, which killed nearly 25% of Rhode Island’s trees, and established a commission on forest management and fire prevention. Through collaboration, we secured funding for additional rangers and forest management, but this work must continue. Our forests are vital to our environment, economy, and way of life. If re-elected, I’ll keep fighting to protect our forests, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.My track record shows that I can work across party lines to achieve meaningful outcomes, like securing funding for forest management and raising Medicaid reimbursement rates. We need to work together in collaboration and common-sense solutions to address the most pressing issues facing our community.As your state representative, I successfully fought for and secured increased state funding for our schools—all without raising taxes. If re-elected, I will continue to advocate relentlessly for even more resources to support our children’s education.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The policies I am most passionate about are those that directly impact the future of our community. This includes securing increased funding for our schools, ensuring access to quality healthcare, and preserving our environment. I believe that by investing in education, we are investing in our children’s future and the long-term prosperity of our community. Similarly, healthcare access is a fundamental right, and I’m dedicated to making it affordable and accessible for all. Lastly, protecting our natural resources is crucial for maintaining the character and sustainability of our rural areas. These are the areas where I’ve focused my efforts and will continue to do so because they are the foundation of a strong, vibrant community.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

For me, the most important characteristics for an elected official are honesty, accountability, and a deep commitment to the community. An elected official should always be transparent and straightforward, even when the truth is tough to hear. They should be accountable to the people they represent, ensuring that every decision is made with their best interests in mind. Finally, an official must have a genuine connection to the community, understanding its needs, values, and concerns. It's about being a true advocate, fighting for what matters most to the people you serve.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want my legacy to be one of real, lasting impact on the lives of the people in our community. I hope to be remembered as someone who didn’t just talk about change but made it happen—whether it’s securing more funding for our schools, protecting our natural resources, or making healthcare more accessible. I want people to say that I fought for them, that I listened, and that I made their voices heard. Ultimately, I want to leave behind a community that’s stronger, more united, and better off because of the work we did together.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the biggest struggles in my life was dealing with the aftermath of a fire that destroyed my home in 2017. It was a devastating experience, not just because of the physical loss, but because it made me confront the fragility of our lives and the importance of community support. But what got me through was the incredible outpouring of help from neighbors and friends, which reminded me of the strength and kindness that exists in our community. This experience deeply influenced my approach to public service—I know firsthand how crucial it is to be there for each other during tough times.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely, building relationships with other legislators is crucial. Collaboration and cooperation are key to getting things done, especially when it comes to passing important legislation. By working together, we can share ideas, find common ground, and tackle issues more effectively. I’ve built strong friendships and feel comfortable working with almost anyone in the chamber. It’s not just about forging alliances; it’s about pooling our collective knowledge and resources to better serve our communities. Strong relationships among legislators help ensure that diverse perspectives are considered, making the process smoother and more productive for everyone involved.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

At this time, my focus is on serving the people of District 39 and continuing the work we’ve started together. My passion is rooted in making a tangible difference in our community, and that’s where my heart is. While I’m always open to where the future might lead, my priority is ensuring that our voices are heard and our needs are met right here at home. It’s about getting things done where it matters most.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Megan Cotter, and I'm running to represent you and our neighbors in Richmond, Hopkinton, and Exeter at the State House.

Our community needs a state representative who will bring people together to get things done for working families and our seniors. I am a working mom myself, and my husband and I know what it means to count every dollar. In 2017, when our house burned down, we truly lost everything—our furniture, our clothes, our kids’ favorite toys. But caring neighbors like you came together and helped us rebuild from scratch.

That experience taught me that anything is possible when our community is united. Yet, some politicians continue to be more interested in dividing us against each other than in making progress on the issues that matter to people like you and me.

I am ready to fight for the real needs of this community that has supported me so much.

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?

I will fight for school funding so that the burden doesn't solely fall on backs of taxpayers.I will work to reform solar siting laws to reduce the amount of clearcutting and incentivize rooftop and brownfield installations. Taxpayer subsidized solar projects should benefit the occupants of the areas they are installed on.I will fight to keep the costs of necessities low so that people in our district can prosper and succeed.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I decided to run for office because there aren't many people like us advocating for the issues that impact our everyday lives. I care about the future of our children, their education, and the environment that will be left to them. I care about my elderly neighbors that are struggling to pay their prescription drug costs or their heating bills, or just trying to stay in their homes. I am passionate about being a voice for the middle class and working for the people.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Frances Perkins. She was the first woman to hold a cabinet position in the U.S. She helped develop programs such as social security, and labor union policy, as well as advocating for women's rights.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

It is an elected official's responsibility to be present, participate, and fight for the needs of their specific community. A State representative must earn respect and work cooperatively to effectively deliver results for their community.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to improve the quality of life for the most amount of people in my district as possible.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I firmly believe that the system becomes polluted when legislators are in office for too long and hand-select successors. Politicians can lose sight of why they ran in the first place. I believe in term limits for all offices. We need everyday citizens to be legislators to ensure the government is for the people, by the people.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is absolutely imperative to build relationships so that you can communicate your constituents' issues, create buy-in, and work cooperatively to create solutions and deliver meaningful results.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have had the privilege to listen to many people in our district. I have been a community organizer through various activities but I have also knocked on 3,000 doors through this process. There is one story that has particularly stuck with me. We developed a senior yard clean-up for our seniors that are unable to do their own yard work and do not have the means to pay someone to do it. We cleaned the yard of a woman who had lost her husband and felt overwhelmed by the daunting task. I talked to her a few weeks after we cleaned her yard and she said that she is able to have her coffee on her back porch again. She was so grateful to enjoy the home that she worked so hard to keep. We must ensure that we are helping all members of our community.

Megan Cotter did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.