Public Retirees Back Credle for State Treasurer

Rhode Island retiree groups endorse Micholas Credle amid his campaign to restore state pension benefits.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Military

Public Retirees Back Credle for State Treasurer

Live Poll

Should the state prioritize restoring pension benefits even if it requires significant new spending?

Public sector retirees in Rhode Island have officially endorsed candidate Micholas Credle for General Treasurer. Credle is campaigning on a platform of restoring pension benefits that were cut during 2011 reforms.

Why it matters

Retirees are backing Credle primarily due to his promise to reverse pension cuts that have impacted their financial security since 2011. The candidate asserts he can identify the required tens of millions of dollars by cutting waste within the state system.

Restoring state pension benefits would cost tens of millions of dollars, a figure based on the unreached benchmarks set during the 2011 reform period. Credle stated he plans to open state books to locate funding for this effort.

The players

Micholas Credle

He is a candidate for Rhode Island General Treasurer who currently manages a social club at a Mason's lodge in Newport.

James Diossa

He is the incumbent Rhode Island General Treasurer serving a four-year term.

The details

Credle, who manages a social club at a Newport Mason's lodge, recently admitted in court that he has not paid child support since February 2026. He maintains that his primary source of income is a military disability pension.

Timeline

  1. 2011: Rhode Island pension reform was enacted.

  2. 2019: Credle retired from the military.

  3. February 2026: Credle stopped paying child support.

  4. October 2026: Credle addressed his child support payment history.

Political Context

This campaign platform directly challenges the 2011 Rhode Island pension reform legislation by promising to reverse its austerity measures. Opponents often point to the long-term fiscal stability goals established by those reforms to argue against the feasibility of such spending.

If elected, Credle would have the authority to influence state financial policy and the potential to initiate the audit process he proposes. Voters should consider how proposed changes to state pension funding could impact overall budget priorities and long-term fiscal stability.

The takeaway

The campaign highlights the ongoing political tension surrounding the state's 2011 pension reform efforts. Voters are urged to weigh the promised restoration of benefits against the current fiscal reality of the state pension system.

Further reading

Learn more about the Military issues impacting the state.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WJAR.

Live Poll

Should the state prioritize restoring pension benefits even if it requires significant new spending?