Jennifer L. Lawless differs with Langevin on abortion rights, and suggests that she places a higher priority on jobs and access to affordable, quality educational opportunities than the Democratic incumbent.

09:05 AM EDT on Thursday, April 14, 2005

BY LIZ ANDERSON
Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE -- A Brown University assistant professor of political science and public policy announced yesterday that she is planning a Democratic primary challenge to U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin for the state's 2nd Congressional District seat.

But first, Jennifer L. Lawless will have to move.

Lawless, 30, whose studies focus on gender and politics, lives on Jenckes Street on Providence's East Side, in the state's 1st Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy.

Reached yesterday on a break from teaching a class on women and politics, Lawless said her differences with Langevin -- particularly on the issue of abortion rights -- are spurring her into the race.

Langevin generally opposes legalized abortions, although he makes exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Lawless described herself as "pro-choice" and favoring "women's reproductive freedom," though she would not be more specific.

Lawless also said her campaign will emphasize jobs and access to affordable, quality educational opportunities -- issues she suggested she places a higher priority on than her opponent.

Lawless said she had not yet found place to live in the 2nd District, which runs from parts of Providence through Cranston and Warwick to Westerly.

She said she expects both to move and to formally announce her candidacy by June 1. She has not yet opened an office or filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission, but has begun raising money and said a campaign Web site should be up and running within a week. Adam Deitch, a Brown University senior, is her campaign manager.

Lawless grew up in Middletown, N.Y., and moved to Rhode Island two years ago to work at Brown. According to the Providence Board of Canvassers, she registered to vote at her Jenckes Street address, as a Democrat, on March 20.

This is her first run for elected office.

Lawless graduated summa cum laude in June 1997 from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and earned her doctorate in political science at Stanford in June 2003.

At Brown this semester, she is also teaching Public Opinion in American Democracy. She serves on the university's Committee on the Status of Women and the Committee on the Undergraduate Program.

Last summer, she spoke to the Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus about a study she conducted on gender and political ambition. Lawless told the group that too many women feel they are not qualified to run for office and will be held to a higher standard than men, according to a Providence Journal report.

Lawless also recently authored a Journal opinion piece chastising both Langevin and Kennedy for choosing not to run against U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee, a Republican, in the 2006 cycle.

"When called to step up to the plate and increase the Democrats' numbers in the Senate, both ran to the dugout," she declared, calling them "poster children who embody the national party's weaknesses."

And while each congressman suggested he enjoys seniority -- and hence power -- in the House, she dismissed that, writing, "In the House, they may be important Democrats, but in the House, Democrats are not important."