A special election in the U.S. State of Rhode Island was held August 5, 2025, to elect a new member for District 4 in the Rhode Island Senate, representing part of North Providence. The election filled the vacancy caused by the death of longtime Democratic state senator and president Dominick J. Ruggerio, who died on April 21, 2025. Primary elections were held on July 8.[1] The Democratic nominee, North Providence Councilmember Stefano Famiglietti, defeated his Republican opponent, attorney Alex Asermely, in an overwhelming landslide of more than two-thirds of the vote.
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August 5, 2025
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Rhode Island Senate District 4 | ||||||||||||||||
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Procedure and background
edit- Democratic (45.5%)
- Republican (11.2%)
- Unaffiliated (43.3%)
Under state law, vacancies in the Rhode Island Legislature are filled by special election. The Rhode Island Secretary of State is required to schedule an election between 70 and 90 days of the initial vacancy. If the vacancy took place after the first Monday of February during a general election year, the special election must be held in tandem with the general election. The elected legislator will serve the remainder of the unexpired term.[2]
The election was made necessary by the death of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio after his death 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. A new leader for the Senate presidency will also need to be held. Before the vacancy, Democrats dominated the legislature 34 to 4 Republicans, so the special election will not significantly affect the balance of power in the chamber.[3]
As of April 2025, registered voters affiliated with the Democratic Party heavily outnumber registered Republicans. Of the 21,295 registered voters, 9,679 or 45.5% are registered Democrats, 2,390 or 11.2% are registered Republicans, and 9,226 or 43.3% have no partisan affiliation.[4]
Previous results (2004–present)
edit| Year | Democrats | Opponents | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 10,736 | 94.87% | Write-in | 580 | 5.13% |
| 2022 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 6,892 | 93.00% | Write-in | 519 | 7.00% |
| 2020 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 9,590 | 94.01% | Write-in | 611 | 5.99% |
| 2018 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,293 | 95.92% | Write-in | 310 | 4.08% |
| 2016 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 8,485 | 95.78% | Write-in | 374 | 4.22% |
| 2014 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 6,443 | 96.48% | Write-in | 235 | 3.52% |
| 2012 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,039 | 66.32% | John D. Ricottilli (Ind.) | 2,924 | 27.55% |
| Michael J. Rollins (Lbt.) | 614 | 5.79% | ||||
| Write-in | 36 | 0.34% | ||||
| 2010 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 5,360 | 65.99% | Thomas J. Rossi (Ind.) | 2,762 | 34.01% |
| 2008 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,759 | 70.05% | Christine C. Spaziano (Rep.) | 3,318 | 29.95% |
| 2006 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,417 | 78.90% | Gary G. Jerejian (Rep.) | 1,983 | 21.10% |
| 2004 | Dominick J. Ruggerio | 8,022 | 78.54% | Eze Aso (Rep.) | 2,192 | 21.46% |
Democratic primary
editCandidates
editNominee
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| 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 | ||
| Town | Cioe | Famiglietti | Ranglin-Vassell | Taveras | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 27 | 11.25% | 67 | 27.92% | 136 | 56.67% | 10 | 4.17% | 240 |
| North Providence | 254 | 11.52% | 1,597 | 72.43% | 246 | 11.16% | 108 | 4.90% | 2,205 |
Republican primary
editIndependents
editCandidates
editWithdrawn
edit- Stephen Tocco, former Smithfield Councilmember, Democratic candidate for this district in 2022, and perennial candidate[10]
General election
editResults
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Stefano Famiglietti | 1,706 | 83.67% | |
| Republican | Alex Asermely | 333 | 16.33% | |
| Total votes | 2,039 | 100.00% | ||
| Town | Famiglietti | Asermely | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | 88 | 89.80% | 10 | 10.20% | 98 |
| North Providence | 1,618 | 83.36% | 323 | 16.64% | 1,941 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Lavin, Nancy (May 6, 2025). "R.I. elections board sets dates for Senate District 4 special election". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ↑ "How vacancies are filled in state legislatures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 21, 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 April 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Rhode Island Voter Registration, State Senate District 4". Rhode Island Secretary of State. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 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.
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ "Special Election Central Falls City Council Ward 4 & Referendum and Special Election Senate District 4 Primary". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved July 11, 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.
- ↑ "Special Election Senate District 4 and Coventry Town Council Districts 3 and 5". August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Special Election Central Falls City Council Ward 4 & Referendum and Special Election Senate District 4 Primary". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved July 11, 2025.