Showing Up for Newport

Hello, Newport! My name is Emily Conklin, and I am running to be your Ward 2 City Councilor. As a regular attendee of municipal meetings, a poll worker, chair of the Energy & Environment Commission, and a dedicated community member, I have shown up for my neighbors. My background in marine biology and environmental education has led me to a career focused on science communication; I spend my days distilling complex topics and advocating for positive change. As your Ward 2 Councilor, I will continue to show up to advocate for a livable future for all Newporters. Our government works for us, and I hope to be your voice in City Hall. 

Originally from Connecticut, I moved to Newport in 2020 to be with my partner and immediately felt at home. I was inspired by how the Newport community showed up for each other, and I resolved to show up too. I started attending City Council meetings in 2021 and posting real-time commentary online of the process and decisions. Since then, I have shown up for over 100 City Council meetings, workshops, and events. This practice deepened my understanding of how our City works, and made the details readily available to my neighbors who couldn’t be in the room with me. I am proud to be a resource for fellow residents and, after five years of watching from the gallery, I would be honored to show up and serve Ward 2 from the other side of the dais.