Dozens of the 113 seats in the Rhode Island General Assembly will not feature a competitive election this year, according to initial filings with the Secretary of State’s Office.
A review by The Public’s Radio shows that 17 incumbents in the 38-member Senate and 37 in the 75-member House of Representatives do not face an opponent.
To qualify for the ballot, House candidates must return 50 qualified signatures, and Senate candidates 100 to local canvassers by July 12.
Legislative elections — fueled by shoe leather and coffee — will still contain drama, as progressives try to increase their ranks and as Republicans attempt to bolster their numbers.
Barring a major surprise, Democrats’ super-majority in the legislature — where they now hold 99 of 113 seats — appears unlikely to change. Legislative elections are held every two years and Democrats have held sway over Smith Hill since 1935.
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, 75, faces his third primary challenge from Lenny Cioe. In 2022, Ruggerio beat Cioe on a 60-35 margin.
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi faces his second November challenge from Republican Dana James Traversie. In their last matchup, Shekarchi won with 60% of the vote.
The GOP leaders in the Senate, Jessica de la Cruz of North Smithfield, and the House, Mike Chippendale of Foster, also face opponents: Democrat Lewis Pryeor in the Senate, and Democrat Linda Nichols in the House.
Here are some of the most notable races:
In Senate District 28, six Democrats have declared for the seat being vacated by Sen. Josh Miller (D-Cranston): Darrèll Brown, Melissa Carden, John F. Croke Jr., Christopher Lanen, Bernice Morris, and Lammis Vargas.
In House District 9, longtime former Rep. Anastasia Williams, known for her outspoken and colorful persona, is seeking a rematch with progressive Rep. Enrique Sanchez, who ousted her in 2022. Another Democrat, Santos Javier, is also running.
House District 14 features a rematch between longtime Rep. Charlene Lima (D-Cranston) and Giona Picheco, who has the backing of the progressive RI Working Families Party.
Nearby, in House District 15, Democrat Maria Bucci and Republican Christopher Paplauskas are set to skirmish over the seat vacated by Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (R-Cranston).
In Senate District 25, Democrats Richard J. Delfino III, Andrew R. Dimitri and Pamela Leary are competing for the vacancy left by the death this year of Sen. Frank Lombardo of Johnston.
House District 39 features a rematch between Rep. Megan Cotter (D-Exeter) and former GOP Rep. Justin Price, who attended a rally ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The lawmakers running without a rival are as follows:
House: Reps. Edith Ajello (D-Providence); Chris Blazejewski (D-Providence); Nathan Biah (D-Providence); Rebecca Kislak (D-Providence); Anthony DeSimone (D-Providence); Raymond Hull (D-Providence); David Morales (D-Providence); John Lombardi (D-Providence); Scott Slater (D-Cranston); Jose Batista (D-Providence); Ramon Perez (D-Providence); Jacquelyn Baginski (D-Cranston); Art Handy (D-Cranston); Joe McNamara (D-Warwick); David Bennett (D-Warwick); Evan Shanley (D-Warwick); Thomas Noret (D-Coventry); Sherry Roberts (R-West Greenwich); Justine Caldwell (D-East Greenwich); Robert Craven (D-North Kingstown); Tina Spears (D-Charlestown); Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Hopkinton); Brian Newberry (R-North Smithfield); Alex Marszalkowski (D-Cumberland); William O’Brien (D-North Providence); Arthur Covese (D-North Providence); Joshua Giraldo (D-Central Falls); Karen Alzate (D-Pawtucket); Mary Duffy Messier (D-Pawtucket); Katherine Kazarian (D-East Providence); Matthew Dawson (D-East Providence); Jason Knight (D-Barrington); Michelle McGaw (D-Portsmouth); Terri Cortvriend (D-Portsmouth); Marvin Abney (D-Newport); Alex Finkelman (D-Jamestown) and Lauren Carson (D-Newport).
Senate: Sens. Jake Bissaillon (D-Providence); Ana Quezada (D-Providence); Sam Zurier (D-Providence); Frank Ciccone (D-Providence); John Burke (D-West Warwick); Mark McKenney (Warwick); Hanna Gallo (D-Cranston); Pam Lauria (D-Barrington); Linda Ujifusa (D-Portsmouth); Lou DiPalma (D-Middletown); Bridget Valverde (D-North Kingstown); Meghan Kallman (D-Pawtucket); Jonathan Acosta (D-Central Falls); Alana DiMario (D-Narragansett); Robert Britto (D-East Providence); Gordon Rogers (R-Foster); David Tikoian (D-Smithfield).
This post has been updated as new information has become available.
