Zak's Story

Dear Neighbor,

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My name is Zak Pereira, and I’m asking for your vote to represent Oakland Beach, Kettle Corner, Warwick Neck, Shawomet, Bayside, Riverview, Longmeadow, Highland Beach, Rocky Point, Meadow View, Church Ave and Sandy Lane in Warwick’s House District 22.

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I was born and raised in a working class Rhode Island family as the youngest of four children. Some of my favorite childhood memories are working outside, tending to the garden of our modest ranch home with my dad and exploring the outdoors with my family. Those afternoons didn't feel like lessons at the time, but they taught me the value of being present with your family, working hard, and taking pride in what you do.

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My parents worked tirelessly to give our family opportunities they never had.

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My father immigrated from Portugal when he was seven years old. He has spent decades working at Belmont Market, often putting in sixty-hour weeks to support our family. My mother waited tables while putting herself through college before becoming a teacher, starting her career at St. Francis of Assisi School in Warwick and then teaching English at Smithfield High School. After a long career in Rhode Island public schools, she retired just weeks ago. 

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My parents never asked for much. They believed if you worked hard, treated people with respect, and did the right thing, you could build a good life. They passed these values down to me and my brothers and sister.

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Today, like many, my family is facing a challenge that has shown me just how much harder life has become, even for people who have done everything right.

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My mother has stage 4 kidney disease. After spending decades teaching Rhode Island's children, she should be enjoying her retirement, not worrying about whether she'll be able to get the medical care she needs.

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When her longtime primary care physician switched to concierge medicine, she found herself without a doctor. Despite serious health issues, she spent months calling medical offices across Rhode Island searching for someone accepting new patients. Like so many families, she discovered that access to healthcare has become incredibly difficult. 

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Watching my mother struggle to navigate that system has been heartbreaking. She worked hard, paid her taxes, devoted her career to educating Rhode Island's children, and played by the rules. Yet when she needed our healthcare system the most, it wasn't there for her. 

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No senior should spend months searching for basic medical care. No Rhode Island family should have to wonder whether they'll be able to see a doctor. Access to a primary care physician shouldn't depend on luck, wealth, or who you know. Healthcare should be something every Rhode Islander can count on.

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That experience changed the way I think about public service. It reinforced my belief that government should solve problems that affect everyday families, not create more obstacles for the people who have spent their lives contributing to our communities.

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I have the honor of working with military veterans at the University of Rhode Island, helping them receive college credit for the skills and experience they earned while serving our country. Giving back to  our veterans by helping them access education and career opportunities at URI is a passion and a privilege.

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Working with students, veterans, and families, and seeing my own family struggle to navigate our healthcare system, has shown me how much harder it has become for people to build the kind of life my parents worked so hard to create.

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Buying a first home feels out of reach for too many young families. Utility bills continue to rise. Veterans who have given so much to our country often struggle to build the lives they deserve after their service. People are working just as hard as ever, but too many feel like they're falling behind. This is why I am asking you, and our community, to elect me as your State Representative.

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If I am and fortunate enough to represent you, I will always be accountable the voters,

transparent and prioritize:

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Affordability

No one should be forced out of our community because they cannot find affordable and timely medical care. We need to protect Medicaid for our Seniors, families, and those living with disabilities. Working families should be able to afford to buy a home, pay their bills, and build a future here in Warwick. 

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Public Safety

Warwick is one of the safest communities in the country, and I want to keep it that way. That means supporting our police officers, firefighters, and first responders. It means making smart investments in public safety and infrastructure. It also means ensuring that the places that make our community special, from Conimicut Point to Oakland Beach, remain safe for families to enjoy for generations to come.

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Opportunity

Every child deserves access to a high-quality public education, with pathways to success through college or career and technical education. Veterans deserve meaningful economic opportunities after their service. Opportunity shouldn't depend on who you know or where you were born.

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These priorities are deeply personal to me. They are rooted in the way I was raised, the experiences that shaped me, and the values my parents passed on to me. I would be honored to earn your trust, your support, and your vote. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please contact me anytime by email/phone.