2025 Rhode Island Senate District 4 special election

2025 Rhode Island Senate District 4 special election
August 5, 2025
Rhode Island Senate
District 4
 
Candidate Stefano Famiglietti Alex Asermely
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 1,690 332
Percentage 83.6% 16.4%
Senator before election

Dominick J. Ruggerio
Democratic

Elected Senator

Stefano Famiglietti
Democratic

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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.

Procedure and background

Voter registration in Senate District 4 as of April 2025 per the office of the Secretary of State:
  1. Democratic (45.5%)
  2. Republican (11.2%)
  3. 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)

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

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Stefano Famiglietti
State legislators
Labor unions

Results

Democratic primary results[8]
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
Results by town[9]
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

Candidates

Nominee

  • Alex Asermely, attorney[5]

Independents

Candidates

Withdrawn

  • Stephen Tocco, former Smithfield Councilmember, Democratic candidate for this district in 2022, and perennial candidate[10]

General election

Results

General election results[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stefano Famiglietti 1,706 83.67%
Republican Alex Asermely 333 16.33%
Total votes 2,039 100.00%
Results by town[12]
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

References

  1. ^ Lavin, Nancy (May 6, 2025). "R.I. elections board sets dates for Senate District 4 special election". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  2. ^ "How vacancies are filled in state legislatures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Rhode Island Voter Registration, State Senate District 4". Rhode Island Secretary of State. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d Lavin, Nancy (May 30, 2025). "Six candidates signal intent to run for R.I. Senate seat". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  6. ^ Baccari, Raymond (May 1, 2025). "Former state Rep. Ranglin-Vassell to run for Ruggerio's Senate seat". WPRI-TV. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  7. ^ a b 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.
  8. ^ "Special Election Central Falls City Council Ward 4 & Referendum and Special Election Senate District 4 Primary". July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Special Election Senate District 4 and Coventry Town Council Districts 3 and 5". August 5, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  12. ^ "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.
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