ABOUT ME

Dear Neighbor,

My name is Terri-Denise Cortvriend, Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 72, serving Middletown and Portsmouth.

I am a mother, a grandmother, a small business owner, and a public servant for the past 14 years. Before running for the House, I served 10 years as a member of the Portsmouth School Committee (with the last four years as the Chair).

I was first elected to represent District 72 in Portsmouth and Middletown in November 2018. I am currently the first vice chair of the House Small Business Committee as well as a member of the House Finance Committee and the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. I am the chair of the Finance Environment/Transportation Subcommittee.​

I have always been passionate about shoreline access and have chaired a special legislative commission studying issues related to Rhode Islanders’ constitutional right to shoreline access. I care deeply about our community, local small businesses, protecting our open space, our watershed, supporting our seniors aging in place, advocating for vulnerable populations, and securing future investments in education for our children.

I have built a strong foundation for our district and Aquidneck Island, developing relationships with federal, state and local leaders, as well as the many local organizations that serve our community. I am honored to have been recognized in 2020 as the #1 legislator in Rhode Island for constituent outreach and the #1 representative overall by RI Ranks. I have met both privately with hundreds of individuals and held more than 30 monthly “Talks with Terri” public constituent meetings.

During my time in office I have focused on environmental issues and in 2022, my legislation passed which bans PFAS in food packaging, as well as a 2024 law that is phasing out PFAS in most consumer products sold or manufactured in Rhode Island. I co-sponsored the landmark 2021 Act on Climate, and in 2020 launched the Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus, a community group to give voice to the importance of mitigating and adapting for the earth's changing climate.

I am a small business owner, my company Ocean Link, Inc. is a marine plumbing firm that I founded in 1989. I previously worked as a yacht captain, and held a USCG Captain's license and a private pilot's license. I am a member of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, and the International Yacht Restoration Program Advisory Committee.

If you have a question or want to reach me you can contact me by email Rep-Cortvriend@rilegislature.gov or call (401) 472-4789.