KINGSTON, R.I. – September 29, 2022 – As the November midterm elections approach, control of the United States House of Representatives could come down to just a handful of races. On Monday, October 17, The Public’s Radio, The Providence Journal and the University of Rhode Island will hold a candidate forum for Rhode Island’s second congressional district seat being vacated by Congressman James Langevin.

Former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, the Republican candidate for Congress, independent candidate William Gilbert and Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, the Democratic candidate, have all been invited.  The trio will field questions from a panel of journalists live at the University of Rhode Island’s Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road, Kingston, at 6:30 p.m. The race, which promises to be hotly contested, was moved from “Leans D” to “Toss Up” by the Cook Political Report in late June.

The forum, which is free and open to the public (advance registration required) will be streamed live online by TPR, The Journal and URI. TPR will also air the broadcast live on 89.3FM.

Ian Donnis, political reporter for The Public’s Radio; Juliana Lepore, news editor for The Good Five Cent Cigar, URI’s student newspaper; and Patrick Anderson, Rhode Island Statehouse reporter for The Providence Journal, will pose questions to the candidates. Donnis will also serve as moderator.

Community members are also invited to pose their own questions to the candidates. Visit uri.edu/news/cd2-forum-2022/ to register in advance and to submit a question for the candidates.

“As we see our ability to reason together become shattered by partisanship, it is important that our institution, founded to be a communications resource for all, helps provide the setting for discussion and debate.  We are proud to join with the University of Rhode Island and the Providence Journal in this effort,” said Torey Malatia, TPR president, chief executive officer and general manager.

“The Providence Journal is proud to partner with The Public’s Radio and the University of Rhode Island in holding this forum so the public is better informed on where our candidates stand on the issues that matter the most to the people of Rhode Island,” said David Ng, The Journal’s executive editor.

“At such a critical time in our history, the 2022 elections will have a significant impact on our students, our state and the nation,” said Marc Parlange, president of URI. “This is why we are so pleased to join with our partners at The Public’s Radio and The Providence Journal to help keep Rhode Island voters apprised of the important issues at stake.” 

Donnis has been the political reporter for The Public’s Radio since 2009. Recognized as one of Rhode Island’s best political reporters by The Washington Post, Donnis hosts the station’s weekly “Political Roundtable.”

Donnis previously worked for the Providence Phoenix, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and The Associated Press. His reporting has been recognized by the AP, the New England Press Association, the Rhode Island Press Association and Rhode Island for Community & Justice.

Anderson joined The Journal in 2014 and the newspaper’s statehouse bureau in 2016. He is an alumnus of New York University, and worked at The Gloucester (Mass.) Daily Times, The Sun Chronicle of Attleboro and Providence Business News.

Juliana Lepore is a junior double majoring in journalism and communications. From Brookfield, Conn., this is her second semester in the News Editor position. Prior to her current role, she spent two semesters as a contributing reporter and one semester as a staff reporter. Outside of the Cigar, Juliana is a member of the Chi Omega sorority, where she’s held multiple roles, and a URI101 mentor. 

The University, The Public’s Radio and The Providence Journal have a longstanding history of working in collaboration to present open discussions on topics of public interest.