Politics & Government

Abel Collins Announces SK Town Council Bid

Collins ran an unsuccessful Independent bid for Rhode Island's Second District congressional seat against incumbent Jim Langevin in 2012. But that experience helped him lay the groundwork for his political future.

Abel Collins, a lifelong Matunuck resident and program director for the Rhode Island chapter of the Sierra Club, has announced his candidacy for a seat on the South Kingstown Town Council.

"I've lived in South Kingstown my whole life, and I'm dedicated to seeing it continue to be the kind of place where families and businesses can thrive," Collins, 36, said. "With a history of bringing people together to solve difficult issues like preparing for climate change and getting the money out of politics, I feel called to serve my home town in this time of transition."

Collins ran an unsuccessful Independent bid for Rhode Island's Second District congressional seat against incumbent Jim Langevin in 2012. But that experience helped him lay the groundwork for his political future.

Find out what's happening in Narragansett-South Kingstownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Meanwhile, as an advocate for environmentally-minded legislation and policy, Collins has been a frequent flyer at the Rhode Island State House, advocating for the successful passage of the Resilient Rhode Island Act, lobbying for expanded and improved public transit and sounding a persistent alarm bell about climate change, sea level rise and other myriad issues facing lawmakers at both the state and local level.

"I want to lead by example, get my neighbors involved in civic life, and together build a vibrant community," Collins said.

Find out what's happening in Narragansett-South Kingstownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You can check out Collins' campaign Facebook page here.

If elected, Collins should have little difficulty easing into the new role as he's followed local issues facing South Kingstown for years. He's also the son of former longtime planning director Clarkson Collins and grew up watching the coastal community undergo a period of rapid growth. 

Collins lives in his childhood home in Matunuck with his wife Amber and five children.


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