In just about a month, Sept. 10, Rhode Islanders will go to the polls in a statewide primary election that will determine who will be running for U.S. Senate from both parties in the November general election, along with deciding general election candidates in several legislative districts.
There are primaries in both parties for the seat now occupied by U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, who is on the ballot. Whitehouse’s Democratic opponent is Michael Costa. On the Republican side, former state Rep. Patricia Morgan faces Raymond McKay.
Whitehouse was first elected to the Senate in 2006, has been a strong advocate of climate change and the judiciary, and serves as chair of the Senate’s Committee on the Budget. On his web page, Costa describes himself as an investor and advisor.
Morgan is a former state representative who served for 12 years and former chair of the Rhode Island Republican Party. According to his website, McKay served as the network and telecommunications manager and administrator for the City of Warwick for 26 years.
In the General Assembly, there are some competitive races, with former State Rep. Anastacia Williams trying to win her seat back, an uncle and a nephew squaring off in Johnston, Senate President Domenick Ruggerio in a primary election, and other powerful Democrats facing challenges from within the party. All primaries in the General Assembly are among Democrats.
Here’s a look at the contested races in the House:
- District 9, Providence – The incumbent, Enrique Sanchez, who was elected just two years ago, is being challenged by Williams, who served in the House from 1993 to 2023. A third Democrat, Santos Javier, is also in the race.
- District 11, Providence — Incumbent Grace Diaz is vice chair of the Democrat Party. Tania Quezada is challenging her.
- District 14, Cranston – Incumbent Charlene Lima is being challenged by Giona Picheco.
- District 16, Cranston – Incumbent Brandon Potter is being challenged by Joseph Gioziano.
- District 37, Westerly — Long time legislator Sam Azzinaro, chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, faces a challenge from Jonathan Daly-Labelle.
- District 42, Johnston — Incumbent Edward Cardillo, Jr. is in a rematch with his nephew, Dennis Cardillo, Jr. A third Democrat is in the race, Kelsey Kristine Coletta.
- District 51, Woonsocket – Incumbent Robert Phillips faces Garrett Mancieri.
- District 57, Central Falls – Incumbent Brandon Voas is being challenged by Raiden Phoenix Witt.
- District 58, Pawtucket – Incumbent Cherie Cruz is being challenged by Elizabeth Moreira.
- District 64, East Providence – Jenni Azanero Furtado and Ashley L. Pereira are vying for the seat now held by Brianna Hendries, who is not running for reelection.
Here’s a look at the contested races in the Senate:
- District 4, Providence – Senate President Domenick Ruggerio is being challenged by Leonardo Americo Cioe, Jr.
- District 14, East Providence – Incumbent Valarie Jean Lawson is being challenged by Brian Gary Coogan.
- District 17, Lincoln – Alexander Azar and Cameron Deutsch are vying to run for the seat now held by Republican Thomas Paolino.
- District 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland – Denis Collins, Marian Juskuv and Brian Thompson are running for the nomination.
- District 25, Johnston – Richard Delfino III, Andrew Dimitri, and Pamela Leary are vying for a vacant seat.
- District 28, Cranston, Providence – Four candidates are vying for a seat now held by Joshua Miller. Vying for the seat are Darrell Brown, Melissa Carden, John Croke, Bernice Morris and Lammis Vargis.
- District 29, Warwick, Peter Appolonio, Jr. and Jennifer Rourke are vying for the seat held by Republican Anthony DeLuca II.
- District 37, New Shoreham, South Kingstown – Anita Norton Jacobson, a Clinical Professor at URI in the College of Pharmacy and a pharmacist at Eleanor Slater Hospital, is challenging powerful Senator V. Susan Sosnowski, who chairs the Senate’s Commerce Committee.
