Brian Moretti and Bridget Graziano will face off in the Nov. 5 general election for the open Ward 1 city council seat in Cranston. Democrat Lammis J. Vargas, who is leaving the Ward 1 seat open, is running for the District 28 State Senate seat.

Republican Brian Moretti, a lifelong Cranston resident living in the Pawtuxet Village-Edgewood area and the youngest of seven children, said his main priorities if elected include public schools, quality of life, and small businesses.

Two days before Christmas in 2021, Moretti received a diagnosis of an aggressive form of cancer. This journey led him through intensive chemotherapy and radiation treatments. As he began to heal, he reflected on his life and the opportunities he felt he had missed along the way.

“When anyone faces an illness such as cancer, you start getting real about what the gift of life really is — we only get one — and the importance of living life to its fullest,” he said.

“My love for Cranston runs deep, and I am incredibly grateful for the support this community has provided to me and my family,” he added.

Moretti said he is not a political “ideologue” or a “policy expert,” but someone who has worked his entire professional career in the private sector with diverse people who have different values and perspectives.

He previously worked in former Gov. Lincoln Almond’s Constituent Affairs office. Moretti, who is openly gay, serves on the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium’s Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging Council’s national board. His resume also includes experience at Textron Inc. and his current position at Cimplifi.

He met his husband, Steven, in New York and has strong family ties in the community and local youth programs. His brother Henry has been heavily involved with the Special Olympics, and he and his siblings attended public schools.

Moretti highlighted his mother, who “worked tirelessly, often juggling multiple jobs and staying active in the community.”

In his free time, he loves to cook, garden, hike, watch football, and especially enjoys quality time with his husband, family, friends, and his two Labrador Retrievers, Ellie Mae and Johnny.

He considers himself a proud Cranstonian who genuinely loves the city and prioritizes strong values and good ideas over party labels, noting that he has supported candidates across the political spectrum.

Democrat Bridget Graziano, who has lived in Cranston for over 30 years, said one of her main priorities is to ensure strong representation for the community.

Graziano serves on the Conservation Commission in Medway, Massachusetts, which ensures that laws protecting the town’s natural resources are followed. As a conservation agent, she leads monthly commission meetings and helps write environmental regulations.

“Having worked for a municipality for over 15 years, I believe I possess the solid background necessary to serve as a city council member for Cranston,” she said.

During her time as a conservation agent, Graziano has secured more than $4 million in environmental and climate adaptation grants for the town.

“I see areas where improvements can be made, and I’m ready to take action,” she said. She noted that many community spaces are often “underutilized” or in “need of better care.”

“We need to move beyond doing things the way they’ve always been done; it’s time for change,” she added.

She’s comfortable tackling a variety of responsibilities, from drafting grants and developing stormwater management improvements, to conducting budget meetings and reviewing new ordinances.

Her resume also includes overseeing daily construction projects in Medway to ensure compliance with state and local laws. She has also worked as a wetland scientist and loves leading nature walks, often holding invasive species identification classes during the summer.

Graziano’s volunteer work as the co-president of the Edgewood Highland PTO and Cranston East Little League has made her aware of the experiences of families with children in extracurricular activities in the city.

Graziano has been friends with her partner, David, since they met in fifth grade at Edgewood Highland School. They currently live in his childhood home with their two boys, Liam and Aedan.

As a family, Graziano said they enjoy being involved in community sports. Even when the kids aren’t playing, she often volunteers to help out at the concession stands.

She highlighted her desire to work with schools to ensure they receive the best resources and education, address flooding concerns across the city, and enhance recreational areas for both active and passive recreation.

Moretti also said he would advocate for teachers and administrators who create safe and nurturing environments for their students, often at their own expense. He also understands the vital role that youth organizations in Ward 1 play in developing children and preparing them for future challenges.

“I will always advocate and be a champion for our teachers. They were the backbone for me growing up in Cranston,” he said.

Moretti said quality of life is something he truly believes in as well, especially in a community where residents cherish neighborhoods, parks, and infrastructure.

“It’s essential that we work together to preserve and enhance these aspects while ensuring the safety of our residents,” he said.

Moretti is eager to engage with local business owners to better understand their needs and explore how the city council can provide the support they need to flourish.

“By removing obstacles and streamlining city government processes, we can foster an environment where small businesses not only survive but can thrive, ultimately benefiting our local economy,” he said.

Graziano looks forward to listening to the issues and prioritizing them. “My role is not to provide all the answers; we operate under a representative government. I want Ward 1 residents to feel they have an approachable, action-oriented leader in the council seat,” she said.

“It’s vital that those representing us are approachable, competent, and confident advocates for our ward and our city,” she said, especially since not all Cranston residents have the time to attend council meetings.

Graziano expressed her support for City Councilor Robert Ferri as the next mayor, saying he will collaborate effectively with the council.

When it comes to this election season, Graziano said it’s crucial to ensure that Cranston residents’ voices are heard at the ballot box.

Moretti emphasized the significance of every election. Because it’s a presidential one in November, he said the stakes are even greater for state and local candidates.

“We are fortunate to have the privilege and responsibility to vote, ensuring everyone’s voices are heard,” he said.

“I believe it is essential to remain respectful of the outcomes, regardless of whether your preferred candidate wins or loses, just like my mom taught me and the lessons I learned in sports growing up as a Cranston kid,” he said.

Moretti noted that we all share a common identity as Americans and Rhode Islanders, as we have more that unites us than divides us.