Ward 1 deserves a city councilor they can trust.
Reps. Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Pressley denounced John for implying they endorsed him in a recent mailer to voters.
“Rep. Ocasio-Cortez does not know the Councilman and has not endorsed his campaign, as this mailer dishonestly tries to imply.”
“The Councilor approached her at an event and took this photo,” a Pressley spokesperson said. “Using this photo on campaign materials is misleading and unprofessional and he should set the record straight with voters.”
2026
John claims he has been “lead sponsor on 50+ pieces of legislation” when most are ceremonial resolutions.
2023
“Goncalves' congressional campaign produced a list of more than 50 pieces of passed legislation that list him as the lead sponsor. However, 46 were symbolic, non-binding resolutions.”
So we looked at John’s record 2023-2026 on legislation that included him:
70% have John as a co-sponsor, meaning he signed on to someone else’s idea — not a lead sponsor
Only 17% are ordinances (binding laws) and 83% are resolutions — symbolic proclamations, street naming or urging passage of a state bill.
John was lead sponsor on 16 ordinances over 4 years
When asked where he stood on the environment, John copied language straight from New York City and then blamed an intern.
“In response to a question about pollution from vehicles, Goncalves response, in part, stated, ‘We plan to install fast-charging stations on city-owned property and install curbside level 2 chargers in conjunction with con edison in order to increase the number of public chargers across the city.’
The reference to ‘con edison’ is to the main energy company in New York City… That copy and other elements were also published by New York officials.”
2022
Ward 1 deserves a city councilor who works for the people, not big donors.
John has spent more than $100,000 in this council race — more than any other Providence City Council race in history.
“Goncalves has a major financial advantage in the campaign and had spent $112,000 between the start of the year and Aug. 11, according to filings with the state Board of Elections.
Youngs has spent $11,000 in that period.”
2026
John can spend so much money because he has taken tens of thousands of dollars from real estate developers and property managers.
John has taken more than $85,000 from property managers and developers since his last election - spending more than any Providence council race in history, and compromising his vote on housing affordability, development, and more.
When you get his mailings, this is who's paying for them.
John has stood with his donors, not with his constituents.
2023
“Fox Point Residents Oppose Project, Councilor Refuses to Take Stand & Takes Thousands From Developer”
2022
“Providence Councilor Who Opposed Liquor License Then Got $500 is Introducing Resolution in Support”