Nicole Nordquist

A handful of other first-time candidates also announced Tuesday that they were officially joining the race: John Baxter Jr. of 96 Brewster St., Joanne Bonollo of 407 Grand Ave., Nicole Nordquist of 155 Mount Vernon Blvd. and Bartholomew Wildenhain of 11 Saunders St.
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"I've always wanted to be in politics and I thought this would be a good place to start," said Nordquist, 25, who has worked in other candidates' campaigns, served on a Democratic Senate District Committee and was a national committeewoman for the Rhode Island Young Democrats.

She said she was "more than 50 percent sure" she would return the required 200 signatures for the citywide race and make the bid.

Nordquist, cheerleading coach for the Darlington Braves since age 16, said, "I just think it's important for young people to get out there and for women to get involved."