Leonela Felix
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Leonela Felix (Democratic Party) is a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 61. She assumed office on January 5, 2021. Her current term ends on January 5, 2027.
Felix (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives to represent District 61. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Felix completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Leonela Felix was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and has lived in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Felix graduated from Charles E. Shea High School in 2005. She earned an associate degree from the Community College of Rhode Island in 2011, degrees in justice studies and sociology from Rhode Island College in 2013, and a J.D. in 2018. Felix's career experience includes working as the ethics education coordinator in the legal department of the City of Providence and as the policy director with Progreso Latino.[1][2]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:[email protected].
2021-2022
Felix was assigned to the following committees:
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Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Rhode Island House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Incumbent Leonela Felix defeated Kevin Whalen in the general election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Leonela Felix (D)  | 57.1 | 3,211 |
 | Kevin Whalen (R) | 42.5 | 2,390 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 20 | ||
| Total votes: 5,621 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Incumbent Leonela Felix advanced from the Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Leonela Felix | 100.0 | 747 |
| Total votes: 747 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Kevin Whalen advanced from the Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kevin Whalen | 100.0 | 138 |
| Total votes: 138 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Felix in this election.
2022
See also: Rhode Island House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Incumbent Leonela Felix defeated Richard Karsulavitch in the general election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Leonela Felix (D) | 61.5 | 2,202 |
| Richard Karsulavitch (R) | 38.4 | 1,373 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 5 | ||
| Total votes: 3,580 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Incumbent Leonela Felix advanced from the Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Leonela Felix | 100.0 | 1,049 |
| Total votes: 1,049 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Richard Karsulavitch advanced from the Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Richard Karsulavitch | 100.0 | 155 | |
| Total votes: 155 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: Rhode Island House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Leonela Felix defeated Robert Wheeler in the general election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Leonela Felix (D) | 63.8 | 3,500 |
 | Robert Wheeler (R) | 36.0 | 1,973 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 12 | ||
| Total votes: 5,485 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61
Leonela Felix defeated incumbent Raymond Johnston Jr. in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Leonela Felix | 58.6 | 988 |
 | Raymond Johnston Jr. | 41.4 | 697 | |
| Total votes: 1,685 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Robert Wheeler advanced from the Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Leonela Felix completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Felix's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Leonela "Leo" Felix was born in Boston, MA, and spent her childhood in the Dominican Republic, her parents' native home. She graduated from Charles E. Shea High School in Pawtucket in 2005, received her associate's degree from the Community College of Rhode Island in 2011, and graduated cum laude from Rhode Island College with degrees in justice studies and sociology in 2013. She worked full time while attending law school at New England Law/Boston and received her Juris Doctorate Degree in 2018.
Leo works as the ethics education coordinator in the legal department for the City of Providence, focused on ethics education and compliance with federal laws. She resides in Pawtucket with her husband, Greg, and her dogs, Chiquita, and Lord Blackington aka "Bubba".
- Fighting for Working Families: As a longtime resident of Pawtucket and your State Representative, I’m dedicated to advocating for working families, ensuring fair wages, affordable healthcare, and safe neighborhoods. I understand the challenges our community faces, and I’m committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
- A Strong Voice for Our Community: I’m passionate about raising the voices of our community at the State House. My background as a public school graduate and a child of immigrants shapes my commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed in a stronger, healthier Rhode Island.
- Building on Legislative Success: I’ve successfully passed laws that protect homeowners, increase funding for public schools, and ensure domestic workers receive fair wages. My focus remains on advancing economic policies that support local businesses, improve our schools, and invest in the professional development of teachers.
I’m passionate about several areas of public policy that have shaped my life and drive my work as a representative. First, criminal legal reform is close to my heart because I’ve personally been impacted by the criminal justice system. I believe in second chances and the need for a fair, just system. Second, I’m committed to fair wages. Growing up in a single-parent household, I understand the economic struggles families face, and I’m dedicated to ensuring everyone earns a living wage. Finally, for me, affordable healthcare is a fundamental right, and I’m focused on making healthcare accessible to all, regardless of income.
The core responsibility of someone elected to this office is to be accessible and to ensure that the voices of our communities are heard at the State House. It's crucial to listen, engage, and understand the needs and concerns of the people I represent. By being a strong advocate, I can work to translate those voices into meaningful action, pushing for policies that directly benefit our community. My job is to make sure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has a seat at the table where decisions are made.
The first historical event I remember vividly is the September 11th attacks. I was 14 years old, living in the Dominican Republic, and I recall being glued to the TV, watching the coverage in shock and disbelief. Even from afar, the gravity of the event was deeply felt, and it made a lasting impact on me. It was a moment that shaped my understanding of the world and fueled my desire to contribute positively to my community and beyond.
McDonalds on Lonsdale Avenue in Pawtucket
My favorite book series is Game of Thrones. I love disappearing into its intricate world and complex characters. The depth of the plotlines and the exploration of themes like power and loyalty make it a captivating escape. Plus, who wouldn’t want to ride a dragon?! It’s the perfect series for getting lost in another world, where every twist and turn keeps me hooked.
If I could be any fictional character, I’d be Goku from Dragon Ball Z. Not only would his teleportation skills make commuting a breeze, but his love for food is something I can definitely relate to. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a feast after a day of adventure?
The Killers, Mr. Brightside
Working Families Party, Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, Planned Parenthood of RI, National Education Association of RI, and Clean Water Action
Committee of Judiciary
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
Leonela Felix did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Leonela Felix did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Rhode Island scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Rhode Island State Legislature was in session from January 2 to June 14.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Rhode Island State Legislature was in session from January 3 to June 16.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Rhode Island State Legislature was in session from January 4 to June 23.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Rhode Island State Legislature was in session from January 5 to July 1.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 |
Officeholder Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Representative Leonela Felix Biography," accessed March 26, 2021
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 10, 2024
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Raymond Johnston Jr. (D) |
Rhode Island House of Representatives District 61 2021-Present |
Succeeded by - |
