Liana Cassar Explained

Liana Cassar
Birth Place:Connecticut, US
Office:Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 66th district
Predecessor:Joy Hearn
Termstart:January 1, 2019
Termend:January 3, 2023
Children:2
Spouse:Larson Gunness
Successor:Jennifer Boylan
Party:Democrat
Education:BA, communications and Spanish, University of Connecticut
MPH, Boston University
MBA, Simmons University

Liana M. Cassar is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 66 from 2019 to 2023.

Early life and education

Cassar was born and raised in Connecticut,[1] and graduated from John Jay High School in Katonah, New York. Following this, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut and served as a Community Development Worker in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica from 1992 to 1995. She also completed her MPH at Boston University and MBA from Simmons College.[2]

Career

Cassar has worked in various health care and public health sectors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. She has served as co-chair of the Barrington Democratic Town Committee and as an Advisory Board Member for the Center for Health and Justice Transformation.[2] Earlier, she was a strategy and Operations Consultant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island and served as a strategic business consultant for AthenaHealth. From 2006 until 2008, Cassar served as the Chief Operating Officer for Planned Parenthood of Rhode Island.[3]

In January 2018, Cassar announced her bid to replace Joy Hearn as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives representing District 66.[1] She defeated John Chung in the primary and Republican Rhonda Holmes in November's general election to win her first election.[4] Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in North America, Cassar announced legislation to lift the ban on abortion coverage for state employee health plans and ensure that abortion care is covered by Medicaid.[5] Following this, she was appointed to the Health, Education and Welfare Committee while continuing to work with the House Committee on Small Business.[6] In October, Cassar announced her bid for Rhode Island House Speaker against Nicholas Mattiello.[7] She eventually dropped her bid in December after the majority of the House voted for Joe Shekarchi.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ahlquist . Steve . Liana Cassar announces bid for Joy Hearn's House District 66 seat . upriseri.com . January 14, 2021 . January 23, 2018.
  2. Web site: Representative Liana Cassar . rilin.state.ri.us . January 14, 2021.
  3. News: Gregg . Katherine . Freshman Rep. Liana Cassar pitches her candidacy for RI House Speaker . January 14, 2021 . Providence Journal . October 29, 2020.
  4. Web site: Barrington resident officially sworn in as new lawmaker . eastbayri.com . January 14, 2021 . January 2, 2019.
  5. Web site: Lewis . Allie . Valverde, Cassar look to expand abortion access . ricentral.com . January 14, 2021 . January 30, 2020.
  6. Web site: Rep. Cassar appointed to Health, Education and Welfare Committee . reportertoday.com . January 14, 2021 . February 28, 2020.
  7. Web site: Rep. Liana Cassar announces bid for Rhode Island House Speaker . turnto10.com . January 14, 2021 . October 29, 2020.
  8. News: Gregg . Katherine . Freshman lawmaker drops long-shot bid for RI House Speaker, slams process . January 14, 2021 . . December 31, 2020.