Residents participating in the North Providence Senate election.
Residents of North Providence’s fourth senate district will vote on August 5 to choose a new state senator following the death of Dominick Ruggerio. The Democratic candidate, Stefano Famiglietti, secured his nomination with a significant primary win, while Republican Alex Asermely ran unopposed. This election marks a pivotal moment for local politics, as it represents a chance to fill a long-held seat and addresses pressing community issues.
North Providence, Rhode Island – Residents of North Providence’s fourth senate district will head to the polls on Tuesday, August 5, to select a new state senator following the passing of longtime senator Dominick Ruggerio. The special election comes after Ruggerio, who had been a significant figure in local politics since 1984, died in April at the age of 76 after battling cancer.
The Democratic candidate, Stefano Famiglietti, currently serves as a North Providence city councilman and secured his spot by winning the Democratic primary with 69% of the vote against three opponents. This primary saw a total of 2,404 votes cast, with Famiglietti receiving 1,649 of those. His closest competitor, Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, garnered 309 votes, followed by Lenny Cioe with 265 votes and Manny Taveras, who received 113 votes. On the Republican side, attorney Alex Asermely ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
Polling will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM on election day, allowing residents a full day to participate in this pivotal decision for the community. The upcoming election marks a significant moment in local politics, as it presents an opportunity to fill a seat that has been held by a member of Ruggerio’s family for decades.
Historically, the fourth senate district has never been represented by a Republican since its boundaries were established in 1966. While the district has traditionally leaned Democratic, recent trends indicate a shift toward conservatism, which may impact the dynamics of this election.
Famiglietti’s campaign is focused on increasing state aid for local needs, particularly infrastructure improvements and support for struggling healthcare facilities like CharterCare hospitals. He is in favor of turning on truck tolls to help fund infrastructure repair but has voiced opposition to tolls on passenger vehicles. Meanwhile, Asermely is advocating for a business-friendly approach, emphasizing tax cuts and opposing truck tolls, which he claims would harm commerce and affect small businesses.
Both candidates share a stance against a recently passed ban on assault-style weapon sales. They also oppose calls for the resignation of North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi amid ongoing civil accusations. While both Famiglietti and Asermely agree on restoring cost-of-living adjustments for public-sector retirees, they stand united against raising taxes to achieve this goal. Additionally, they both reject the idea of implementing universal free school lunch programs and express opposition to large-scale housing projects within the district.
Although they share some similar views on contentious local issues, there are notable differences particularly regarding the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s handling of the Washington Bridge emergency. Asermely believes the state should not provide bailouts for private healthcare facilities, in contrast to Famiglietti, who argues for state assistance based on their community importance.
The candidates also differ in age and career backgrounds; Famiglietti is 33 years old, having been involved in local government as a town council member, while Asermely, at 39, works as a practicing attorney. The winner of this special election will become the first senator to represent the fourth district besides Dominick Ruggerio in over 39 years.
This special election serves as a critical juncture for North Providence voters, who must consider the future direction of their representation and the pressing issues facing their community. With Ruggerio’s legacy looming large, both candidates are eager to forge their paths in a district defined by its long-term leadership.
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