Latest news with #Ruggerio
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Senate District 4 Democratic Committee backs Stefano Famiglietti in four-way primary
North Providence Town Councilor Stefano Famiglietti won his district party committee's endorsement in the upcoming special primary for the Senate District 4 seat. (Courtesy photo from Rhode Island Senate District 4 candidate Stefano Famiglietti has secured the support of his district's party committee in the four-way Democratic special primary to fill the open seat left by the late Sen. Dominick Ruggerio. Famiglietti, an attorney and North Providence City Councilor, was unanimously endorsed by the five-person Senate District 4 Democratic Committee, the Rhode Island Democratic Party announced Monday. The committee interviewed all four Democratic contenders for the open seat before making its selection Thursday. Six candidates signal intent to run for R.I. Senate seat The July 8 primary is set to feature former state Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Lenny Cioe and Manny Taveras. Whoever wins the primary will then run against Republican Alexander Asermely and independent Stephen Tocco in an Aug. 5. general special election. Candidates must still submit at least 100 signatures of registered district voters by June 10 to qualify for the ballot. The special election to represent parts of North Providence and a small section of northern Providence marks the first time the district will have a new state senator in 40 years, following the death of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Ruggerio died on April 21. Ruggerio's sister, Lisa Ruggerio Aceto, is one of five people on the Democratic Senate district committee, which is led by chair Lisa Andoscia. Nicole Verdi, Rhode Island's Democratic National Convention committeewoman, is also the vice chair of the Senate district party committee. Famiglietti thanked the committee for their endorsement in a statement. 'I am now looking forward to a successful campaign this summer and am hopeful for a victory so I may continue to serve our community,' he said. 'It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life to advocate for the residents of North Providence as a member of the North Providence Town Council, and am looking forward to representing my community on a broader level, while bringing that same energy to the State House.' Voters have until June 8 to register, or disaffiliate, ahead of the July 8 primary election. Early voting is set to begin June 18, running through July 7. The winner of the election will serve the rest of Ruggerio's two-year term, through 2026. State lawmakers are paid $19,817 a year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Senate District 4 Democratic Committee backs Stefano Famiglietti in four-way primary
North Providence Town Councilor Stefano Famiglietti won his district party committee's endorsement in the upcoming special primary for the Senate District 4 seat. (Courtesy photo from Rhode Island Senate District 4 candidate Stefano Famiglietti has secured the support of his district's party committee in the four-way Democratic special primary to fill the open seat left by the late Sen. Dominick Ruggerio. Famiglietti, an attorney and North Providence City Councilor, was unanimously endorsed by the five-person Senate District 4 Democratic Committee, the Rhode Island Democratic Party announced Monday. The committee interviewed all four Democratic contenders for the open seat before making its selection Thursday. Six candidates signal intent to run for R.I. Senate seat The July 8 primary is set to feature former state Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Lenny Cioe and Manny Taveras. Whoever wins the primary will then run against Republican Alexander Asermely and independent Stephen Tocco in an Aug. 5. general special election. Candidates must still submit at least 100 signatures of registered district voters by June 10 to qualify for the ballot. The special election to represent parts of North Providence and a small section of northern Providence marks the first time the district will have a new state senator in 40 years, following the death of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Ruggerio died on April 21. Ruggerio's sister, Lisa Ruggerio Aceto, is one of five people on the Democratic Senate district committee, which is led by chair Lisa Andoscia. Nicole Verdi, Rhode Island's Democratic National Convention committeewoman, is also the vice chair of the Senate district party committee. Famiglietti thanked the committee for their endorsement in a statement. 'I am now looking forward to a successful campaign this summer and am hopeful for a victory so I may continue to serve our community,' he said. 'It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life to advocate for the residents of North Providence as a member of the North Providence Town Council, and am looking forward to representing my community on a broader level, while bringing that same energy to the State House.' Voters have until June 8 to register, or disaffiliate, ahead of the July 8 primary election. Early voting is set to begin June 18, running through July 7. The winner of the election will serve the rest of Ruggerio's two-year term, through 2026. State lawmakers are paid $19,817 a year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Here are the candidates for Ruggerio's old Senate seat
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Six candidates have filed paperwork to run in the Senate District 4 special election to replace the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who died in April after a lengthy battle with cancer and other ailments. Candidates had until Friday at 4 p.m. to make their candidacies official. The primary election is scheduled for July 8 and the general election will happen on Aug. 5. This is the first time the seat has been open since Ruggerio started representing the district in 1985. The district includes parts of North Providence and Providence District 2 Town Councilman Stefano Famiglietti announced earlier this month he's running for the seat. Famiglietti, a 33-year-old attorney, has been on the council since 2018. He also chairs the North Providence Democratic Town Committee. The councilman said he plans to focus his campaign on responsible budgeting, protecting core municipal services, and 'ensuring that local communities are not left behind.' Former Providence state Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell was the first Democrat to announce her entry in the race. Ranglin-Vassell, 65, previously represented R.I. House District 5 after unseating then-House Majority Leader John DeSimone in 2016. She didn't run for reelection in 2022. Ranglin-Vassell, a teacher at Central High School, is the only candidate out of the six who lives in Providence. While not releasing a platform of policy goals, the former lawmaker says she will knock on every door to hear what's on the minds of residents. Manny Taveras is one of two political newcomers running for the seat. Taveras, 40, is the younger brother of former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. Manny Taveras previously worked in the Providence mayor's Office of Constituent Services and has been in the private sector for the last 15 years. He said during the campaign, he'll focus on policies about education reform, housing and assisting small businesses. Lenny Cioe announced his candidacy right before the deadline Friday. Cioe, 66, said in his announcement that he wants 'to give my neighbors a voice they know and trust to stand up for them.' Cioe, a nurse at Blackstone Valley Community Health Center, ran unsuccessfully against Ruggerio three times. 'As in past elections, Lenny will always speak truth to power and put the needs of his community first,' he said. Cioe said he plans to focus on energy prices and protecting Medicaid and health care providers during his campaign. Alex Asermely is the sole Republican in the race for Ruggerio's seat. Asermely, 39, also announced his candidacy on Friday. He is an attorney and a political newcomer. Asermely said he plans to focus on education, reducing government spending and limiting regulations for businesses during his campaign. If Asermely submits enough valid signatures for ballot placement, he'll be the first GOP candidate for this district since 2008. Stephen Tocco filed his paperwork to run on Friday as an independent. Tocco, 68, is a former chief of the R.I. Capitol Police and a former Smithfield Town Council president. Tocco unsuccessfully ran for the seat before, placing third in the 2022 Democratic primary against Cioe and Ruggerio. Tocco is currently an accountant. He says that he'll focus on the creation of an inspector general's office, government efficiency and education. R.I. Democratic Party National Committeewoman Nicole Verdi, who was seen as a potential candidate, announced Thursday evening she will not be running for the seat. 'This was not an easy decision,' she said in a statement. 'The passing of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio — who was both a mentor and a close friend — has been deeply personal for me.' Verdi explained that now is 'not the right time' professionally for her to seek elected office. All of the other North Providence town councilors have told 12 News they will not be running for the seat. Council President Dino Autiello, who was considering running, said he's supporting Famiglietti. Both Autiello and Famiglietti have expressed a desire for someone with ties to North Providence to be senator. Councilors Steven Loporchio, Ronald Baccala, Chuck Pollock, Steven DiLorenzo and Mario Martone — all of whom are Democrats — are also supporting Famiglietti. Neither of North Providence's two state representatives plan to run for the seat either. State Reps. Arthur 'Doc' Corvese and William O'Brien, both Democrats and longtime members of the General Assembly, said they're supporting Famiglietti for the seat. All five candidates will simultaneously make their cases to voters while collecting enough valid signatures to get on the ballot. On June 5, candidates are able to pick up nomination papers and have until June 10 to submit 100 valid signatures to the local board of canvassers. The winner of the Democratic primary on July 8 will go on to face Asermely on Aug. 5. NEXT: Trump administration names Rhode Island, 2 cities as 'sanctuary jurisdictions' Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
6 candidates are vying to fill Ruggerio's state Senate seat. See who's running.
Six Rhode Islanders − four Democrats, one Republican and one independent − have declared themselves candidates to fill the late Dominick Ruggerio's state Senate seat. The closely watched Democratic primary for Senate District 4 representing parts of North Providence and Providence will feature a town council member, a well-known former member of the House of Representatives, the brother of a former Providence mayor and a three-time challenger to Ruggerio. The primary is July 8 and the winner will go on to the special general election Aug. 5. Candidates have until June 10 to submit nomination papers with the signatures of 100 registered voters to qualify for the ballot. Lenny Cioe Jr. is a registered nurse who in the last three regular District 4 elections has challenged Ruggerio from his left. "A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence," Cioe, of North Providence, said in a news release announcing his candidacy. Stefano Famiglietti is a 33-year-old North Providence town councilman and attorney. "This community is my home," Famiglietti said in a news release. 'And while no one can replace Senate President Ruggerio, I believe I can be a strong advocate for the issues that matter most to the people of District 4." Marcia Ranglin-Vassell is a Providence schoolteacher who served three terms in the House of Representatives and is best known for upsetting then-House majority leader John DeSimone in 2016. Ranglin-Vassell, 65, was elected with the support of the progressive Working Families Party and in her final House term passed the Trauma Informed Schools Act. Manny Taveras is the brother of former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and former City Hall staffer currently working as an account executive for a pharmacy benefits manager. 'Rhode Island should be a place where families can start a small business, buy a home, and sendtheir kids to great local schools,' Taveras said in a campaign announcement. Alexander Asermely, of North Providence, will carry the banner for the GOP in this historically Democratic district. He is an attorney. "I was born and raised in the Fruit Hill area of North Providence, where I have watched the devastating effects of our economy crush families and small business owners not just in our community but across Rhode Island," Asermely said in a campaign announcement. is a multi-time candidate. In 2022 he took 6% of the vote running as a Democrat in the primary against Ruggerio and Cioe. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Senate special election: 6 candidates seek to fill Ruggerio's seat
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Six candidates signal intent to run for R.I. Senate seat
The U.S. flag outside the Rhode Island State House flies at half staff on April 21, 2025, after the death of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who held the Senate District 4 seat for over 40 years. (Photo by Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current) A battle for the open Senate District 4 seat is taking shape, with half a dozen candidates filing declaration papers with the Rhode Island Secretary of State's office by Friday's 4 p.m. deadline. The upcoming special election features four Democrats, one Republican and one independent candidate. The upcoming Aug. 5 special election marks the first time the district spanning North Providence and the northern part of Providence will have a new state senator in over 40 years. Voters will choose the person who will fill the unexpired term of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, who died April 21, at age 76. Ruggerio was first elected to the Senate in 1984. Each declared candidate still must secure 100 signatures from certified voters within the district to qualify for the ballot. The signature deadline is June 10. The four Democratic candidates would first compete in a special primary on July 8. Among the Democratic contenders is former state representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell of Providence. The 64-year-old Providence Public Schools teacher served three terms representing Rhode Island's House District 6 before deciding not to run again in 2022. In a May 2 Facebook post announcing her intent to run, Ranglin-Vassell touted a 'proven track record of fighting and winning.' During her six years in the House, she championed progressive policies like a $15 minimum wage and gun control alongside education and equity initiatives. Education reform was a top priority for fellow Democratic candidate Manny Taveras. Taveras, 40 of North Providence, also emphasized housing and small business services in his May 14 campaign announcement. Manny Taveras is the younger brother of former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, who led the capital city from 2011 to 2015. The younger Taveras also worked for the Providence mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services from 2008 to 2010, according to his LinkedIn page. He now works as an account executive for private pharmacy benefits manager MedImpact, according to his LinkedIn. This will be his first run for elected office. Also in the running is Democratic North Providence Town Councilman Stefano Famiglietti. Famiglietti, 33, recently opened his own law practice in Providence focused on employment matters, and has served as a city councilor since 2018. In a May 20 campaign announcement, Famiglietti stressed municipal services and responsible budgeting as priorities if elected to the state Senate seat. Rounding out the Democratic primary ballot is Lenny Cioe Jr., a nurse at Blackstone Valley Community Health who unsuccessfully challenged Ruggerio in the last three Democratic primaries. The 65-year-old North Providence progressive announced he was entering the race Friday afternoon, 30 minutes before the deadline to file paperwork with the Rhode Island Secretary of State. Cioe in a statement said his campaign will focus on 'local issues,' including 'price gouging' by utility provider Rhode Island Energy, and protecting Medicaid and other health programs from federal funding cuts. The lone Republican, Alexander Asermely, also waited until the final day to formally enter the race. He said in a statement he felt it was time to 'step up and use my voice,' lamenting economic, educational and infrastructure shortcomings across the state and within the district. The 39-year-old father and lifelong North Providence resident works as an attorney for Bellotti Law Group in Boston, according to his LinkedIn page. Asermely is also a political newcomer, having never run for office before. Asermely does not have any primary opponents, putting him on the path to the August special election as long as he submits the requisite voter signatures. Also bound for the general election ballot: independent candidate Stephen G. Tocco. The North Providence resident and retired chief of Rhode Island Capitol Police served on the Smithfield Town Council from 2004 to 2007. He also ran multiple unsuccessful campaigns for state Senate, including against Ruggerio in a three-way Democratic primary in 2022. All but one of his prior candidacies for office have been as a Democrat; in 2020, he ran as an independent candidate for the Senate District 22 seat, which spans parts of Smithfield, North Providence and Lincoln. While the seat was held by a Democrat for the last 40 years, the district is nearly evenly split between registered Democrats and independents, who comprise 45% and 44%, respectively, of its 22,300 registered voters as of May, according to data with the Rhode Island Department of State. The remaining 11% of voters are registered Republicans. Voters have until June 8 to register, or disaffiliate, ahead of the July 8 primary election. Early voting is set to begin June 18, running through July 7. The winner of the election will serve the rest of Ruggerio's two-year term, through 2026. State lawmakers are paid $19,817 a year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
