Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014.
Following the general election, there was no change to the majority control of the Rhode Island State Senate. There was no change to the composition of the chamber. The Democratic Party maintained a total of 32 seats held, while the Republican Party stayed at five, and the Independent Party held steady at one.
Incumbents retiring
A total of two incumbents did not run for re-election in 2014. Those incumbents were:
Name | Party | Current Office |
---|---|---|
David Bates | Senate District 32 | |
Dawson Hodgson | Senate District 35 |
Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 4 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Rhode Island State Senate:
Rhode Island State Senate | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of November 3, 2014 | After November 4, 2014 | |
Democratic Party | 32 | 32 | |
Republican Party | 5 | 5 | |
Independent | 1 | 1 | |
Total | 38 | 38 |
Competitiveness
Candidates unopposed by a major party
In 29 (76.3%) of the 38 districts up for election in 2014, there was only one major party candidate running for election. A total of 27 Democrats and two Republicans were guaranteed election barring unforeseen circumstances.
Two major party candidates faced off in the general election in 9 (23.7%) of the 38 districts up for election. One of those seats held competitive elections in 2012 with a margin of victory ranging from zero to five percent. One other election was mildly competitive, with a margin of victory of five to ten percent. Those districts were:
Competitive
- District 21: Incumbent Nicholas Kettle (R) defeated Margaux Morisseau (D) and Zachary Farnum (I) in the general election. Kettle won the general election by a margin of victory of 1 percent in 2012.
Mildly competitive
- District 34: Incumbent Catherine Cool Rumsey (D) was defeated by Elaine Morgan (R) in the general election. Rumsey won the general election by a margin of victory of 10 percent in 2012.
Primary challenges
A total of seven incumbents faced primary competition on September 9. Two incumbents did not seek re-election in 2014 and another 29 incumbents advanced past the primary without opposition. The state senators that faced primary competition were:
- District 2: Incumbent Juan Pichardo defeated Ramon A. Perez and Ana Quezada in the Democratic primary.
- District 3: Incumbent Gayle Goldin defeated Christopher Wall in the Democratic primary.
- District 9: Incumbent Adam J. Satchell defeated Debra Tocco in the Democratic primary.
Retiring incumbents
Two incumbent senators did not run for re-election, while the remaining 36 (94.7%) incumbents ran for re-election. A list of those incumbents, two Republicans, can be found above.
Qualifications
Article III of the Rhode Island Constitution lays out the requirements for officeholders of Rhode Island's state government.
List of candidates
District 1
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Maryellen Goodwin: 2,039
- Incumbent Goodwin was first elected to the chamber in 1986.
- Maryellen Goodwin: 2,039
- November 4 General election candidates:
Candidate ballot access |
---|
Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
Maryellen Goodwin: 4,488
District 2
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Ramon A. Perez: 454
- Juan Pichardo: 1,642
- Incumbent Pichardo was first elected to the chamber in 2002.
- Ana Quezada: 1,201
- November 4 General election candidates:
Juan Pichardo: 4,373
District 3
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Gayle Goldin: 3,775
- Incumbent Goldin was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Christopher Wall: 1,708
- Gayle Goldin: 3,775
- November 4 General election candidates:
Gayle Goldin: 7,233
District 4
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Dominick Ruggerio: 3,406
- Incumbent Ruggerio was first elected to the chamber in 1984.
- Dominick Ruggerio: 3,406
- November 4 General election candidates:
Dominick Ruggerio: 6,443
District 5
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Paul Jabour: 2232
- Incumbent Jabour was first elected to the chamber in 2006.
- Paul Jabour: 2232
- November 4 General election candidates:
Paul Jabour: 4,826
District 6
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Harold Metts: 2,050
- Incumbent Metts was first elected to the chamber in 2004.
- Mario Mancebo: 872
- Harold Metts: 2,050
Note: Kendre Rodriguez was removed before the primary.
- November 4 General election candidates:
Harold Metts: 4,283
Russell Hryzan: 630
District 7
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Frank Ciccone: 1,706
- Incumbent Ciccone was first elected to the chamber in 2002.
- Doris Mayleni De Los Santos: 1,402
- Frank Ciccone: 1,706
- November 4 General election candidates:
Frank Ciccone: 4,545
District 8
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- James Doyle: 2,119
- Incumbent Doyle was first elected to the chamber in 2004.
- James Doyle: 2,119
- November 4 General election candidates:
James Doyle: 4,388
District 9
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Adam J. Satchell: 1,564
- Incumbent Satchell was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Debra Tocco: 929
- Adam J. Satchell: 1,564
Note: Thomas Jones withdrew before the Democratic primary.
- November 4 General election candidates:
Adam J. Satchell: 4,090
Michael Pinga: 3,241
District 10
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Walter Felag: 2,268
- Incumbent Felag was first elected to the chamber in 1998.
- Walter Felag: 2,268
- November 4 General election candidates:
Walter Felag: 7,191
District 11
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Christopher Ottiano: 871
- Incumbent Ottiano was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Christopher Ottiano: 871
- November 4 General election candidates:
Christopher Ottiano: 6,138
Taylor Dame: 2,294
District 12
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Louis DiPalma: 1,892
- Incumbent DiPalma was first elected to the chamber in 2008.
- Louis DiPalma: 1,892
- November 4 General election candidates:
Louis DiPalma: 7,204
District 13
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- M. Teresa Paiva Weed: 2,343
- Incumbent Weed was first elected to the chamber in 1992.
- M. Teresa Paiva Weed: 2,343
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Michael W. Smith: 608
- Michael W. Smith: 608
- November 4 General election candidates:
M. Teresa Paiva Weed: 5,117
Michael W. Smith: 4,187
District 14
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Daniel Da Ponte: 2,246
- Incumbent Da Ponte was first elected to the chamber in 1998.
- Daniel Da Ponte: 2,246
- November 4 General election candidates:
Daniel Da Ponte: 5,370
District 15
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Donna Nesselbush: 2,034
- Incumbent Nesselbush was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Donna Nesselbush: 2,034
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Stephen Lemois: 187
- Stephen Lemois: 187
Note: John Monahan was removed from the ballot before the primary.
- November 4 General election candidates:
Donna Nesselbush: 3,840
Stephen Lemois: 1,093
District 16
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Elizabeth Crowley: 1,241
- Incumbent Crowley was first elected to the chamber in 2008.
- Christine Lachapelle-Miller: 582
- Elizabeth Crowley: 1,241
- November 4 General election candidates:
Elizabeth Crowley: 2,455
Daniel Bidondi: 392
District 17
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Keven McKenna: 2,609
- Keven McKenna: 2,609
Independent candidates:
- Edward O'Neill
- Incumbent O'Neill was first elected to the chamber in 2008.
- Edward O'Neill
- November 4 General election candidates:
Keven McKenna: 3,862
Edward O'Neill: 6,344
District 18
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- William Conley Jr.: 2,770
- Incumbent Conley was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- William Conley Jr.: 2,770
- November 4 General election candidates:
William Conley Jr.: 6,345
District 19
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Ryan Pearson: 3,275
- Incumbent Pearson was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Ryan Pearson: 3,275
- November 4 General election candidates:
Ryan Pearson: 6,835
District 20
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Roger Picard: 2,342
- Incumbent Picard was first elected to the chamber in 2008.
- Roger Picard: 2,342
- November 4 General election candidates:
Roger Picard: 5,117
District 21
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Margaux Morisseau: 1,629
- Margaux Morisseau: 1,629
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Nicholas Kettle: 1,400
- Incumbent Kettle was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Nicholas Kettle: 1,400
- November 4 General election candidates:
Margaux Morisseau: 3,880
Nicholas Kettle: 5,979
Zachary Farnum: 1,015
District 22
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Steve Archambault: 2,326
- Incumbent Archambault was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- David Fasteson: 1,396
- Steve Archambault: 2,326
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Hasan Alsawaf: 597
- Hasan Alsawaf: 597
- November 4 General election candidates:
Steve Archambault: 6,091
Hasan Alsawaf: 3,447
District 23
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Paul Fogarty: 1,993
- Incumbent Fogarty was first elected to the chamber in 1998.
- Paul Fogarty: 1,993
- November 4 General election candidates:
Paul Fogarty: 5,125
Lauri Archambault: 3,503
District 24
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Marc Cote: 1,766
- Incumbent Cote was first elected to the chamber in 1994.
- Marc Cote: 1,766
Note: Lewis J. Pryeor was removed from the ballot before the primary.
- November 4 General election candidates:
Marc Cote: 3,795
Michael Moniz: 1,390
District 25
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Frank Lombardo III: 3,591
- Incumbent Lombardo was first elected to the chamber in 2010.
- Frank Lombardo III: 3,591
- November 4 General election candidates:
Frank Lombardo III: 7,306
District 26
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Frank Lombardi: 1,973
- Incumbent Lombardi was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Frank Lombardi: 1,973
- November 4 General election candidates:
Frank Lombardi: 6,615
District 27
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Hanna Gallo: 2,474
- Incumbent Gallo was first elected to the chamber in 1998.
- Hanna Gallo: 2,474
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Sara Sweeney: 1,074
- Sara Sweeney: 1,074
- November 4 General election candidates:
Hanna Gallo: 6,162
Sara Sweeney: 3,942
District 28
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Joshua Miller: 2,392
- Incumbent Miller was first elected to the chamber in 2006.
- Joshua Miller: 2,392
- November 4 General election candidates:
Joshua Miller: 5,996
District 29
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Michael McCaffrey: 2,692
- Incumbent McCaffrey was first elected to the chamber in 1994.
- Michael McCaffrey: 2,692
- November 4 General election candidates:
Michael McCaffrey: 7,706
District 30
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- William Walaska: 2,451
- Incumbent Walaska was first elected to the chamber in 1994.
- William Walaska: 2,451
- November 4 General election candidates:
William Walaska: 5,554
Steven Archer: 3,748
District 31
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Erin Lynch: 2,532
- Incumbent Lynch was first elected to the chamber in 2008.
- Erin Lynch: 2,532
- November 4 General election candidates:
Erin Lynch: 6,149
James Roche: 3,473
District 32
Note: Incumbent David Bates (R) did not run for re-election.
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Cynthia Armour Coyne: 2,869
- Cynthia Armour Coyne: 2,869
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Giovanni Cicione: 967
- Giovanni Cicione: 967
- November 4 General election candidates:
Cynthia Armour Coyne: 5,968
Giovanni Cicione: 5,120
District 33
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Leonidas Raptakis: 2,007
- Incumbent Raptakis was first elected to the chamber in 1996.
- Leonidas Raptakis: 2,007
Note: Frank Hyde was removed from the ballot before the primary.
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Michael Madonna: 830
- Michael Madonna: 830
- November 4 General election candidates:
Leonidas Raptakis: 5,431
Michael Madonna: 4,365
District 34
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- Catherine Cool Rumsey: 1,766
- Incumbent Cool Rumsey was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
- Catherine Cool Rumsey: 1,766
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Elaine Morgan: 1,016
- Elaine Morgan: 1,016
Note: Cameron Ennis was removed from the ballot before the primary.
- November 4 General election candidates:
Catherine Cool Rumsey: 4,788
Elaine Morgan: 5,280
District 35
Note: Incumbent Dawson Hodgson (R) did not run for re-election.
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- James Callaghan: 2,261
- James Callaghan: 2,261
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Mark Gee: 1,051
- Kimberly Ann Page: 477
- Mark Gee: 1,051
- November 4 General election candidates:
James Callaghan: 5,046
Mark Gee: 5,941
District 36
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- James Sheehan: 2,680
- Incumbent Sheehan was first elected to the chamber in 2000.
- James Sheehan: 2,680
- November 4 General election candidates:
James Sheehan: 8,274
District 37
September 9 Democratic primary candidates:
- V. Susan Sosnowski: 2,653
- Incumbent Sosnowski was first elected to the chamber in 1996.
- V. Susan Sosnowski: 2,653
- November 4 General election candidates:
V. Susan Sosnowski: 7,631
District 38
September 9 Republican primary candidates:
- Dennis Algiere: 727
- Incumbent Algiere was first elected to the chamber in 1992.
- Dennis Algiere: 727
- November 4 General election candidates:
Dennis Algiere: 7,805
See also
External links
- Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Senator in General Assembly."
- Rhode Island Secretary of State, 2014 Statewide Primary Results: Senator in General Assembly
- Rhode Island Secretary of State, 2014 General Election Results
State of Rhode Island Providence (capital) | |
---|---|
Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |