This November’s election won’t lead to many changes — if any — to Johnston’s Town Council and School Committee.
Only one candidate, Karen A. Paquin (I), is challenging for a position on the Town Council. Paquin is running for Ward 3 against Alfred T. Carnevale (D).
Every other incumbent — all Democrats — is running unopposed for their positions this year, according to candidate filings published on the Secretary of State’s website. The deadline to file for election was June 26.
No Republicans filed to run for Town Council or School Committee.
The lack of Republican candidates was prompted by economic pressure, said Johnston Republican Town Committee (JRTC) President Sandra Taylor.
“Individuals are occupied with work and lack the time to engage in politics,” Taylor said. “Without a group of committed candidates for local offices, nothing significant can be achieved.”
“We recognize the conundrum: the need for individuals to drive positive change, yet they are too preoccupied with balancing their finances and providing for their families,” she added. “The problem cannot be resolved until the economy is addressed.”
For the General Assembly, voters will have a choice in four seats.
Senator Frank A. Ciccone III (D) is running unopposed for re-election to District 7; while four candidates will battle it out to fill the senate seat for District 25, which has been vacant since Frank Lombardo III passed away in February from bladder cancer.
Three Democratic candidates are challenging for the seat: Richard J. Delfino III, Andrew R. Dimitri and Pamela Leary. Dimitri is an attorney, and Leary works in emergency management. Delfino previously served as Town Councilor from 2015 to 2019.
The only Republican candidate is Karin N. Gorman, who has run for House office multiple times between 2010 and 2016, never finding success. She has run as both an independent and a Republican.
In District 42, two Democrats and one Republican are challenging Edward T. Cardillo Jr. (D) for his House of Representatives seat. This includes Kelsey K. Coletta (D), Richard R. Fascia (R) and Dennis D. Cardillo Jr. (D), who is the nephew of Edward Cardillo Jr. In 2022, when Dennis D. Cardillo Jr. challenged his uncle’s seat, it led to a family feud on the campaign.
District 43 sees Nicola A Grasso (R) challenge incumbent Deborah A. Fellela (D). In District 44, Frank T. Ricci and Peter Anthony Trementozzi, both Republicans, are running against sitting Democratic representative Gregory J. Costantino.
Other elected positions include the party ward committees in addition to the senate and representative district committees.
Statewide primaries are held on Sept. 10 and the general election is Nov. 5.
Candidates must submit signatures on their nomination papers for verification by July 12, or they will not appear on the ballot.
The Candidates
* Indicates incumbent
General Assembly
Rhode Island State Senate
Senate District 7:
Senate District 25:
Rhode Island House of Representatives
Representative District 13:
Representative District 42:
Representative District 43:
Representative District 44:
Town Council Ward 1:
Town Council Ward 2:
Town Council Ward 3:
Town Council Ward 4:
Town Council Ward 5:
School Committee Ward 1:
School Committee Ward 4:
Democratic Town Committee:
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 4
Ward 5
Republican Town Committee
Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 5
Representative District Committee (Vote for 5)
District 13
District 42
District 44
Senate District Committee (Vote for 5)
District 25
Senate District Committee (Vote for 7)
District 7
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