////

Newport City Councilor Rick Ufford-Chase launches mayoral campaign

1 min read

NEWPORT — City Councilor Rick Ufford-Chase has announced his candidacy for mayor, seeking to succeed Linda Joy Sullivan, who will not seek a second term.

Ufford-Chase, who was elected to the City Council in March, also serves as executive director of Newport Downtown Development. He and his wife, Kitty, moved to Newport from Lowell in January to allow him to run for office.

Responsive Banner Ad

“I believe in the people of Newport and its surrounding towns,” Ufford-Chase said. “People of the Northeast Kingdom know how to do hard things, and to do it ourselves when others tell us something can’t be done.”

Ufford-Chase said he was surprised by Sullivan’s decision not to run again and wants to build on her work in fiscal accountability and implementing the city’s new master plan.

“I wouldn’t have chosen to run for mayor had she not made her decision, but I feel called to step forward to make sure that we are proactive in building Newport’s future,” he said.

Responsive Banner Ad

His campaign will focus on Newport’s financial health, long-term economic development, and creating a community where younger generations will want to stay. “

We’re going to roll up our sleeves, refuse to complain, do the work, and support our families and neighbors,” he said. “No drama – just hard work and cooperation.”

Since moving to the area in 2020, Ufford-Chase has worked to revitalize Newport Downtown Development, leading efforts to secure $1.5 million in private, state, and federal grants and launching events like “Winter Saturdays” at the Gateway.

In October, he and three other local men purchased the Bayview Motel on Pleasant Street and began remodeling it into affordable housing.

“The building has good bones, there are good people who live there, the view of the South Bay is spectacular, and the potential to be a part of solving Newport’s housing crisis is pretty amazing,” he said.

Addressing potential conflicts of interest between his role as mayor and his work with Newport Downtown Development, Ufford-Chase said he consulted the State Ethics Commission, which determined no legal conflict exists.

“At the end of the day, this is a question of transparency, ethical standards, and good character, and demonstrating good character is what leadership is all about,” he said.

His campaign website, rickfornewport.com, will be updated for the mayoral race in the coming weeks.

Responsive Banner Ad

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.