“I understand change can be hard and the leadership is strong, but someone needs to have their voice heard,” Jennifer Siciliano said in a recent interview. “Someone has to be brave enough to say things aren’t perfect and we need some serious change.”

Siciliano, 45, recently announced she will be running for state representative for District 22, in hopes to be a “watchdog” for the House of Representatives, speaking out against corruption and “politics as usual.”

Siciliano, who works as an urban planner in Woonsocket and has her Masters in Regional/Urban Planning from University of Massachusetts-Amherst, ran for the same position two years ago.

Siciliano lost to Joseph Solomon Jr. in the Democratic primary after Frank Ferri announced in 2014 he would leave the position to run for lieutenant governor. Although Siciliano lost in the primary, she did receive 39 percent of the vote. She believes announcing her candidacy late, without proper time to “knock on doors,” contributed greatly to her loss. Solomon went on to win in the general election.

“I think I did pretty well, considering. I learned a lot through that process and have kept myself involved in politics since. With more time to meet the constituents of the district I think I have a good chance,” she said.

Since the 2014 primary she has kept up to date with politics, often watching Capitol TV and closely following legislation. She quickly became more invested in the role and had been contemplating running again. Siciliano officially decided to when she saw presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders win the Rhode Island Primary over former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. Now, Siciliano is running as a progressive Democrat, self-declared “Berniecrat.”

“I saw that the people of Rhode Island want change. They supported Bernie and yet the Democratic leadership is standing behind Hilary,” Siciliano said. “The people aren’t getting heard and legislators aren’t listening to their constituents. I think many in the State House are doing what is in the best interest of themselves and not what’s best for Rhode Island.”

Currently, she says she sees a lot of “feel good” legislation, despite the need for real change to benefit Rhode Islanders as well as “power play” initiatives such as the legislative grant issues. She said these grants shouldn’t be accepted because they shift the power structure and can be manipulated to sway voters. This behavior gives the state a negative connotation, Siciliano said, deterring families and businesses from wanting to move into the state and driving others out.

Siciliano also has qualms with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, formerly the Economic Development Corporation, and believes the General Assembly has too easily given up their power to the organization that “championed” 38 Studios. She believes their meetings should be taped and live-streamed.

“We need more transparency in this state, and it takes a lot of eyes to watch over a group this large,” she said. “It can be disturbing watching politics here. There are a lot of mixed up priorities. It has to stop.”

Siciliano said she understands one person can’t change the system alone, but it has to start somewhere and she believes she can bring a levelheaded perspective as well as a “sharp observant eye” to the House of Representatives. As an urban planner, she also understands what municipalities face on a daily basis and what the state could do to help its cities and towns prosper.

If elected, Siciliano would like to see ethics reform, the voter ID law repealed, minimum wage increased, the tax minimum to remain stable, fair tax codes, common sense gun laws and more investment into protecting our environment.

She may be running with the Rhode Island Progressive Democrats, but Siciliano claims she is here to serve the people and will put listening to her constituents before her putting forward her own ideals.

“I believe this state is more progressive than its leadership. There is a strong movement calling for change,” Siciliano said. “It’s exciting that we could see real change because we need it.”

Siciliano has lived in Warwick for nearly 10 years on Harris Ave. She also has a campaign Facebook page, “Jennifer Siciliano.”