Dr. Nelly Burdette Could Flip a Rural-Suburban Senate District in Rhode Island

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Nelly Burdette, Psy D, shares her journey from healthcare professional to political candidate, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, health equity, and addressing local issues like housing and public trust. Her approach highlights how expertise in public health can reshape legislative priorities at the state level, especially in a diverse district. Key Topics: Nelly Burdette’s background in healthcare and what motivated her to run for State Senate The significance of running at the community level versus higher office How her public health experience informs her legislative priorities The pressing issues in her district: healthcare access, affordable housing, and aging Strategies for rebuilding trust and engagement within the community The importance of creative solutions to housing shortages, avoiding green space development The role of small businesses and local economic health The dynamic district of Lincoln, North Smithfield, and North Providence Her stance on local legislative support and recent political debates The challenge of infrastructure and resource sustainability for new housing projects Her motivation for challenging the incumbent and the potential impact on local politics The importance of party involvement and tactical campaigning in local races Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction / background and political campaign 02:03 - Why focus on local community engagement over higher offices 04:46 - Support from Democratic groups and her community-based approach 08:25 - Major gaps in healthcare access and affordability in Rhode Island 10:21 - Vision for a better Rhode Island: Health, Aging, and Small Business 13:10 - Creative housing solutions: repurposing abandoned buildings and green space preservation 15:21 - Trust issues in Lincoln and rebuilding community ties 17:46 - The importance of local legislation and community responsiveness 20:06 - Immediate legislative priorities: healthcare and affordable housing initiatives 21:02 - Support for local policies and her stance on key political issues 22:41 - Challenges with housing development on Wilbur Road and sustainability concerns 24:28 - The broader significance of community-level leadership and expertise in governance 26:08 - Final thoughts on running to create meaningful change and the role of political strategy Support the show Follow Bill on Instagram and YouTube