Election Day: November 3, 2026  ·  Portsmouth, Rhode Island  ·  Early voting begins October 19

John McDaid, candidate for Portsmouth Town Council
Democrat for Portsmouth Town Council

A Portsmouth Voice You Can Count On

I'm a third-generation Portsmouth resident — my grandparents bought our cottage in Island Park in 1925, and Karen and I raised our son Jack here. For nearly three decades I've given back to the town I love by volunteering on a variety of committees. I've watched the current Council struggle to work effectively — dithering on decisions that needed clear thinking, revisiting votes that should have stayed settled. Portsmouth deserves better. I want to bring what I've learned from a 20-year career in corporate project management and my current role in academia to help re-align the Council with the people it serves.

20+ Years in Portsmouth
22 Years corporate experience
12 Years in academia
1 Goal: Serve Portsmouth
Biography

About John

John McDaid is a third-generation Portsmouth resident. He and his wife Karen raised their son Jack in town.

A retired IT project manager, John spent more than twenty years in corporate roles, leading multi-million-dollar software and communications projects. He currently teaches at Roger Williams University, where his research focuses on media, communication, and artificial intelligence. He has an MFA from Salve Regina University and did doctoral work in media ecology at New York University.

"Let's work together to move Portsmouth forward."

John has served Portsmouth in a range of appointed roles over nearly three decades, including the Conservation Commission, two Charter Review Committees, and the PSD Technology Committee.

A working journalist and theatre critic, John covers Rhode Island theatre for BroadwayWorld.com.

Support the Campaign

Link to come.

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Credentials
  • EducationMFA, Salve Regina University
  • Career20+ years in corporate project management.
  • Civic ServiceCharter Review Committee, 2019–2020
    Conservation Commission, 2017-2021
    School District Technology Committee, 2008-2016
Get in Touch

Have a question or concern about Portsmouth? John wants to hear from you.

Contact John →