8 Surprises Emerging This Election Season

Costantino v. Petrarca

A long-standing battle between two Rhode Island political families appears to be coming to a head in 2022. 

Attorney Jina Petrarca - sister of former Rhode Island House member Peter Petrarca — is looking to run for office. 

The House District? 44 — representing parts of Lincoln, Smithfield, and Johnston.

The seat? It had been formerly held by her brother. 

That is, until sitting State Rep Greg Costantino defeated him in the Democratic primary in 2012. 

If you don’t think this is personal — think again. 

PHOTO: Costantino FB

Archambault Out

Senator Stephen Archambault was the Democrat representing Senate District 22 and now, former Rhode Island State Police Major and Smithfield Town Council David Tikoian (pictured) is jumping into the race.

Tikoian will face Smithfield native Melanie DuPont, who has lived in Rhode Island nearly her whole life.

She serves as Secretary for the Executive Committee of the Rhode Island Democratic Party Women’s Caucus, and is running under the RI Political Cooperative mantel.

She won 40% of the vote against Archambault in the Democratic primary in 2020.

New Providence Mayoral Hopeful

As GoLocal reported on Wednesday, Gonzalo Cuervo, Nirva LaFortune, and Brett Smiley all filed their papers for the Democratic primary for Mayor of Providence.

Now, another former Democrat entering the fray — as an independent. 

Wilbur Jennings, who previously served on the Providence City Council, had been talking with supporters about running in the general election and followed through, filing his papers. 

He could be the new “x” factor, after former City Council President Michael Solomon — who had said for the past year he was looking to run, maybe as a Democrat, maybe as an independent — ultimately bowed out.

Can Jennings — who lost to current Councilman Jim Taylor — make a real run?

Stay tuned. 

House Majority Leader Has a Race

Chris Blazejewski, the House Majority Leader representing District 2 in Providence, looks like he may have drawn a competitive challenge.

Savannah DaCruz is a City Year AmeriCorps alum, a New Leaders Council graduate, and serves on the board of directors for AS220.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and creative writing; and works as an employment counselor for immigrant and refugee communities in RI.

She has already landed the endorsement from Sunrise PVD, a group focused on climate control.

Is this an upset special?

PHOTO: DaCruz campaign

BLM RI PAC's List of Endorsements is Deep

The list of candidates BLM has endorsed is deep.

According to BLM, the candidates were selected for "fighting for legislation such as reallocating funds toward social services, repealing the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR), the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act (EACA), expanding affordable/low-income housing, universal healthcare, and advancing LGBTQIA+ rights."

House of Representatives

Jennifer Stewart, District 59

Damian Lima, District 6

Savannah DaCruz, District 2

Kinverly Dicupe, District 62

Danielle Walsh, District 32

Brianna Henries, District 64

David Morales, District 7

Enrique Sanchez, District 9

State Senate

Tiara Mack, District 6

Jennifer Rourke, District 29

Robin Xiong, District 3

Harrison Tuttle, District 31

Providence City Council 

Corey Jones, Providence’s Ward 3

Miguel Sanchez, Providence’s Ward 6

PHOTO: GoLocalProv

Lima Facing Primary Opponent 

Deputy Speaker Charlene Lima — who has represented Providence and Cranston in District 14 since first elected in 1992 — is facing a primary challenge. 

Shawndell Burney-Speaks, a relationship coach, leadership expert, and TedX speaker (seen here), has declared her candidacy. 

She is also the Executive Director of the African American Ambassador Group, was on hand this spring when Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza signed the Executive Order establishing the Providence Municipal Reparations Commission. 

PHOTO: TedX YouTube screengrab

Shekarchi's Challenges

Not only is House Speaker Joe Shekarchi facing a Democratic primary challenge from Jacqueline Anderson — there is a declared Republican candidate in House District 23 (Warwick), Dana James Traversie.

Shekarchi — who ascended to the body’s most powerful position when former Speaker Nick Mattiello was ousted by Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton Fung — is sitting on a war chest of just over $1.6 million dollars. 

His fundraising prowess showed no signs of slowing down in 2022 — his campaign finance report shows he hauled in closed to $190,000 in individual and PAC donations in the first quarter alone. 

The Minister v. The State House Veteran

Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin has been in the Senate for over 35 years, having first been elected in District 1 in Providence in 1986, and is now facing a primary opponent.

Donnie Anderson, a Baptist minister who now serves as Executive Minister at the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, has declared her candidacy. 

According to Anderson’s bio — who announced she is transgender at the age of 70 — she has worked to build up a name as an advocate for poor people, homeless people, and members of the LGBTQ community in Rhode Island.