10 General Assembly Races to Watch in 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Rhode Island residents may be focusing on the Presidential race and the battle already unfolding in the 1st Congressional District, but with summer less than two months away, local races are also beginning to take form.
GoLocalProv breaks down ten General Assembly races political insiders will be keeping an eye on heading into election season.
House District 54 (North Providence)
Several candidates are lining up for a shot at the seat left open by Gregory Schadone, who has announced that he won’t seek reelection. Schadone, who is leaving office just two years after a failed run at Speaker of the House, has endorsed David Pellegrino. Pellegrino, a lawyer and former intern in Senator Jack Reed’s Washington office, will face challenges from Democrats William O’Brien and Lance Mantia and Independent candidate Ken Amoriggi. Pellegrino is perceived to be the favorite and is the only candidate that has shown early fundraising strength, with nearly $8,000 in his campaign account as of March 31.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHouse District 8 (Providence)
Incumbent State Rep. Michael Tarro is facing off with liberal Democrat Libby Kimzey in a race that could turn into a three-way Democratic primary if former Mayor and City Council President John Lombardi throws his hat in the ring. Tarro, who comfortably won former House Finance Chairman Steven Costantino’s seat in 2010, is not supported by the Taveras administration and is going to be targeted by the state’s progressive leaders because he does not support same-sex marriage. But he has spent his whole life on Federal Hill and has the ability to match Kimzey dollar for dollar in the fundraising department.
House District 29 (Coventry)
First-term Democrat Lisa Tomasso won her State Rep. primary easily in 2010, but snuck by in the general election by just eight votes. Now she is squaring off with Tea Party favorite Keith Anderson. Anderson, who is a teacher at East Providence High School, has been an outspoken critic of teachers unions and is often a featured speaker at conservative rallies. Anderson also supports right to work legislation and is vehemently opposed to illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition. Tomasso, who has mostly self-funded her campaigns, has less than $1,000 in her campaign account while Anderson has just over $5,000.
Senate District 33 (Coventry, East Greenwich)
Lou Raptakis, who served in the General Assembly for 17 years before giving up his Senate seat to challenge Ralph Mollis in Democratic primary for Secretary of State in 2010, is back to faceoff with Republican Glen Shibley. Senate leadership isn’t a fan of Raptakis or the incumbent Republican, but they are likely to support Democrat Raptakis in the race.
House District 45 (Cumberland)
State Rep. Rene Menard, who has never been had support from House leadership, has withstood challenges in the past, but an anti-pension reform vote last fall may have been the final straw for the incumbent Democrat. Menard has a revamped district and is expected to face a challenge from Cumberland Councilwoman Mia Ackerman, who loaned her campaign $20,000 on March 31. Ackerman now has over $25,000 in her account.
Senate District 22 (Smithfield, Johnston)
Former Democratic Attorney General candidate Stephen Archambault is widely considered to be the favorite in the race to replace Senator John Tassoni, who announced his plan to leave office last year. Archambault finished second to Peter Kilmartin in 2010 and will likely be able to outraise any potential opponents.
House District 71 (Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton)
Incumbent Republican Dan Gordon faces difficult reelection prospect thanks to revelations of his extensive criminal record and his mini-protest of paying his taxes. Gordon narrowly won the seat previously held by John Loughlin in 2010, but he is likely to face a Republican primary followed by a credible Democratic challenger in the general election.
House District 12 (Providence)
Joe Almeida is likely to challenge incumbent Democrat Leo Medina, who is currently facing felony charges after being accused of stealing $28,000 in insurance money from a friend. Medina defeated Almeida in 2010, but after a turbulent first-term in office, he is not expected to win reelection.
Senate District 17 (Lincoln, North Smithfield)
In a district that experienced major changes in redistricting, Independent Senator Ed O’Neil will face a challenge from former five-term State Rep. John Barr. After two failed attempts at Lincoln town Administrator, Barr will likely draw plenty on union support in his attempt to unseat O’Neil.
House District 30 (East Greenwich)
Former House Minority Leader Bob Watson is up against Dr. Mark Schwager, who narrowly lost a Senate race to Republican Dawson Hodgson in 2010. Now Schwager, who announced his candidacy in November, has the benefit of running against an incumbent who has been arrested twice in the last year and just returned from rehab. Still, despite his recent problems, Watson has held the seat for 20 years and has solid name recognition in his district.
