Michelle McGaw

In 2020, McGaw announced her candidacy to succeed retiring incumbent Dennis Canario in the 71st district. In the Democratic primary, McGaw defeated Tiverton Town Councilor John Edwards by a whopping 60%. In the general election, McGaw faced Republican Little Compton attorney Amy Veri, and won.[2][4][5]

McGaw serves on the Rhode Island State House Government and Elections Committee, House Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the House COVID-19 Vaccine Special Task Force. McGaw has introduced several bills including one that would require Rhode Island's Energy Facility Sitting Board to deny applications for power plants that would negatively affect Rhode Island's ability to reach its carbon-emissions-reduction goals. One of her other proposed pieces of legislation was a bill that would allow temporary vehicle registrations to last for 30 days instead of the previous 20 days for dealer sales, or just two days for private sales, which have caused long hold backs for the Department of Motor Vehicles appointments.[6]

In 2022, McGaw fended off an Independent challenger, Kobe Taylor, in the general election for the House seat. She garnered 64% of the vote.[7][8]

In May 2023, McGaw introduced a bill which would make human composting (scientifically known as "natural organic reduction") legal in the state, serving as alternatives to burial and cremation.[9] In late May, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved legislation sponsored by McGaw which would require health insurers to cover the costs of epinephrine injectors, known as EpiPens.[10]