Ward 9
All MembersCouncilor Juan M. Pichardo
Councilor Juan M. Pichardo represents Ward 9, which includes the Elmwood, South Elmwood, and Roger Williams Park neighborhoods. He served as a state senator from 2003 until 2017. He served as a member of the RI Air National Guard from 1988 until 2010, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant.
He currently serves as the President Pro Tempore of the City Council and is the chairperson of the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education. He also chairs the Special Commission on veterans Affairs and is a member of the Committee on Claims and Pending Suits, the Committee on Urban Redevelopment Renewal and Planning, the Committee on Ward Boundaries, and the Rules Committee. Pichardo is also a member of the Providence Water Supply Board and the Providence Board of Parks Commissioners.
He was born in Santiago and raised in the city of Jicome, Valverde, Dominican Republic until the age of 9. He attended public school P.S 115 in New York City, Providence’s Gilbert Stuart Middle School and Mount Pleasant High. He is a graduate of Community College of RI, Rhode Island College, the Providence Civic Entrepreneur initiative, and Leadership RI. Pichardo is the co-founder of Quisqueya in Action and The RI Latino PAC. He is married to Janet and is the father of three children and three grandchildren.
Ward 9: Elmwood & South Elmwood
Recent News
Providence City Councilors Send Open Letter to Governor McKee Regarding COVID-19 Response
Councilwoman Nirva R. LaFortune (Ward 3), Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Majority Leader James Taylor (Ward 8), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Majority Whip...
City Council Brings Charges Against & Seeks Removal Of City Clerk Shawn Selleck For Creating Toxic Work Environment
This evening, the Providence City Council voted unanimously to approve a Providence Home Rule Charter Section 403 resolution to bring charges against City Clerk Shawn Selleck, and to seek his suspension or removal from office. The resolution charges Mr. Selleck with...
City Councilors Call for Review of Mayor Elorza’s Agreement with Achievement First
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilors Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3) and John Goncalves (Ward 1) proposed a resolution calling for a review of Mayor Jorge Elorza’s license agreement with the charter school Achievement First, which grants the...
Providence City Council Approves $539 Million FY 2022 City Budget
Approved budget contains no tax increases and uses $42 million in stimulus funds for small business relief, youth investments, free public Internet access, and more. Tonight, the Providence City Council voted to approve a $539 million FY 2022 City Budget including $42...
Councilman John Goncalves Urges Passage of Rescue Rhode Island Act at the State House
At tonight's City Council meeting, Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) proposed a resolution supporting Rhode Island House Bills 2021 H-5674, H-6074, H-5595, and Senate Bills 2021 S-0219, S-0468, and S-0540, known collectively as the Rescue Rhode Island Act. This...
Providence City Council Calls on Mayor Elorza to Enforce Existing ATV Laws and Names Members to the Council’s Special Commission on ATVs & Recreational Vehicles
At tonight's City Council Meeting, Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) proposed a resolution urging Mayor Jorge Elorza to decisively enforce the multiple laws that the Providence City Council has enacted to mitigate the dangers and nuisance of all-terrain vehicles...