Rhode Island Prepares for Upcoming Senate District 4 Election

Categories: Rhode Island Breaking NewsRhode Island News

Community engagement during the Rhode Island Senate District 4 election.

News Summary

Rhode Island is gearing up for the Senate District 4 special election following the passing of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. With a diverse field of candidates, including incumbent Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Patricia Morgan, voters will also participate in congressional races. The election timeline includes a primary on July 8, 2025, and general election on August 5, 2025, as the state demonstrates its active political engagement.

Rhode Island has officially cast its four Electoral College votes for Kamala Harris, signaling a continuation of the state’s strong Democratic leanings. The 2020 presidential election saw Joe Biden also secure Rhode Island with 59% of the vote against former President Donald Trump’s 39%. In a similar vein, the prior 2016 election had Hillary Clinton winning with 55% of the vote over Trump’s 40%. This trend firmly places Rhode Island as a reliably blue state, where Republican presidential candidates have only achieved victory a handful of times in the past century, with the most recent occurrence in 1984.

As Rhode Island prepares for the upcoming Senate District 4 special election, voters will also have the opportunity to cast their ballots in two congressional district races and for one of the state Senate seats. The Senate race features incumbent Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse facing off against Republican Patricia Morgan, adding to the dynamic political landscape as the state gears up for potential shifts in representation.

In light of the recent passing of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio on April 21, 2025, the Rhode Island Board of Elections has organized a timeline for the special election in Senate District 4. The primary election is slated for July 8, 2025, and the general election will take place on August 5, 2025. Candidates looking to participate in the election must declare their intent to run by May 29-30, 2025, and must secure 100 signatures from registered voters in the district by June 5, 2025.

Ruggerio’s tenure of over 40 years in the district leaves a significant legacy and a competitive race ahead. Candidates must ensure that they collect at least the required number of signatures from certified voters by June 10 to be included on the ballot. Early voting for the election is scheduled from June 18, 2025, until July 7, 2025, providing ample opportunity for voter engagement.

A notable Democratic candidate in the race is Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, a former state representative. Other Democratic contenders include Manny Taveras, who emphasizes education and housing issues; Stefano Famiglietti, focusing on municipal services; and Lenny Cioe Jr., addressing a range of local issues that resonate with constituents. Alexander Asermely stands as the sole Republican candidate, while Stephen G. Tocco makes another bid as an independent after previous candidacies.

Recent May registration data indicates that the district is nearly evenly split, comprising 45% registered Democrats, 44% independents, and 11% Republicans. This demographic balance is expected to play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the upcoming special election. In preparation for participating in the primary, voters will need to register or disaffiliate by June 8, 2025.

The winner of the special election will serve the remaining two-year term concluding in 2026. State lawmakers earn a salary of $19,817 annually, making this a significant role within the Rhode Island political landscape. As voters gear up to cast their votes, the anticipation for the election grows, showcasing the active political engagement within the state.