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All 38 seats in the Rhode Island Senate 20 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Rhode Island |
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The 2024 Rhode Island Senate election is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with party primaries scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, 2026.[1] Rhode Island voters will elect 38 representatives to serve two-year terms in the Rhode Island Senate.
The election will take place in tandem with elections for the governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and the state house.
2025–2026 special elections
[edit]One special election is currently scheduled as of July 17, 2025.
District 4: August 5, 2025
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A special election for Senate District 4 is scheduled to take place on August 5, 2025, with a primary scheduled for July 8. The vacancy was caused by the death of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio from cancer on the morning of April 21, 2025. He had represented the 4th district since 2005, but served in the legislature continuously since 1981. He served as majority leader from 2009 to 2017, and served as President of the Rhode Island Senate from 2017 until his death.[2] Valarie Lawson was chosen to succeed Ruggerio as Senate President.[3]
Senate District 4 represents portions of the municipalities of North Providence and Providence. As of July 2025, registered voters affiliated with the Democratic Party heavily outnumber registered Republicans. Of the 21,169 registered voters, 9,519 or 45.0% are registered Democrats, 2,356 or 11.1% are registered Republicans, and 9,294 or 43.9% have no partisan affiliation.[4]
Democratic primary
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- Stefano Famiglietti, North Providence Councilmember from the 2nd district[5]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]- Lenny Cioe, nurse and candidate for this seat in 2020, 2022, and 2024[5]
- Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, former state representative from the 5th district (2017-2023)[6]
- Manny Taveras, account executive and brother of former Mayor of Providence Angel Taveras[5]
Endorsements
[edit]- State legislators
- Frank Ciccone, Majority Leader of the Rhode Island Senate (2025–present) from the 7th district (2005–present)[7]
- Labor unions
Results
[edit]
- 60–70%
- 80–90%
- 50–60%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stefano Famiglietti | 1,664 | 68.06% | |
| Democratic | Marcia Ranglin-Vassell | 382 | 15.62% | |
| Democratic | Lenny Cioe | 281 | 11.49% | |
| Democratic | Manny Taveras | 118 | 4.83% | |
| Total votes | 2,445 | 100.00% | ||
Republican nominee
[edit]Attorney Alex Asermely was the only Republican candidate to file.[5]
Independent and third party candidates
[edit]Withdrawn
[edit]- Stephen Tocco, former Smithfield Councilmember, Democratic candidate for this district in 2022, and perennial candidate[9]
General election
[edit]Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stefano Famiglietti | ||||
| Republican | Alex Asermely | ||||
| Registered electors | 21,169 | ||||
Summary
[edit]Incumbents by State Senate district
[edit]Background
[edit]
| Democrats: 90–100% 70–80% 60–70% 50–60% | Republicans: 90–100% 60–70% 50–60% |
See also
[edit]- 2026 United States elections
- 2026 United States Senate election in Rhode Island
- 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island
- 2024 Rhode Island Senate election
- Rhode Island Senate
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b District 4 occupied by Sen. Dominick J. Ruggerio (D) until April 2025, seat to be filled in a August 2025 special election.
References
[edit]- ^ "2026 Statewide Elections". Rhode Island Department of State. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Edward (April 21, 2025). "What happens next: R.I. senators must choose a new leader. Key bills hinge on their choice". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Brill, Lauren; Nesi, Ted (April 29, 2025). "Lawson, Ciccone tapped to lead RI Senate after death of Ruggerio". WPRI.com. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ "Rhode Island Voter Registration, State Senate District 4". Rhode Island Secretary of State. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Lavin, Nancy (May 30, 2025). "Six candidates signal intent to run for R.I. Senate seat". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ Baccari, Raymond (May 1, 2025). "Former state Rep. Ranglin-Vassell to run for Ruggerio's Senate seat". WPRI-TV. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Lavin, Nancy (July 7, 2025). "The heat is on in R.I. Senate District 4 ahead of Tuesday's Democratic primary". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "Special Election Central Falls City Council Ward 4 & Referendum and Special Election Senate District 4 Primary". July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Lavin, Nancy (June 10, 2025). "Five of six potential candidates meet signature requirements for Senate District 4 special election". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved July 9, 2025.