By ALEX MALM

If all those declaring their interest in running are qualified as candidates virtually every Warwick incumbent state legislator will face a contest this fall. It includes Democrat Jacqueline Anderson running against House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and even includes two siblings running in two different House seats with Marie Hopkins running in District 21 which is currently held by state Rep. Camille Vella Wilkinson and Independent Dr. Jonathan Martin running in District 24 against Evan Shanley.

All three Warwick Senate races are also contested with two of the seats District 29 and District 31 guaranteed to have open seats. Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey who represents District 29 and state Sen. Kendra Anderson who represents District 31 are both not running for re-election.

House 19

This year’s House District 19 Democratic Primary is set to be a rematch from 2020 with Party Chairman, and state Rep. Joseph McNamara facing off against Stuart Wilson, a progressive Democrat.

In 2020 McNamara, who is seeking his 15th term in office, beat Wilson with 62 percent of the vote.

House 20

Elected in 2010 state Rep. David Bennett is looking to win a seventh term in office. Dan Elliot who ran in 2018 against Bennett and ran unsuccessfully against Ward 8 Councilman Anthony Sinapi in the 2020 Democratic Primary is expected to face off against Bennett this time as an Independent.

House 21

Vella Wilkinson is set to face off against Capri Catanzaro who is one of five candidates in Warwick running with the Rhode Island Political Cooperative.

According to her bio Catanzaro has lived in Warwick for the last two decades. After attending the Automotive Technology program at New England Institute of Technology she left to “work in the RI political scene.”

Catanzaro ran state Sen. Jeanine Calkin’s 2016 campaign along with her 2018 re-election campaign.

The winner is slated to face off against Hopkins in the General Election.
Hopkins said that she has knocked on the doors of 2,600 out of the 5,100 houses in the District before the declaration period.

House 22

In the House District 22 race three names are likely to appear on the general election ballot with progressive Zakary Pereira facing off against state Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr., David Stone running as a Republican along with former Providence Journal reporter Ged Carbone who is running as an Independent.

“During the 2021 - 2022 legislative session, I was proud to sponsor and support legislation that tangibly improves the quality of life for Warwick residents,” said Solomon Jr. “The last two years have been rough on our economy, our education system, and many of our neighbors and friends. I have worked hard on the issues that matter most to our district. I am seeking reelection so I can continue bringing people together to deliver results for our community.”

In 2020 Carbone earned 46.9 percent of the vote against Solomon Jr.

“I'm glad to see that four people have taken out papers to explore a run for the House District 22 seat. This is indicative of a robust political climate, a good opportunity to hear multiple points of view,” Carbone said in a statement Tuesday night. “As the only Independent in the race, I don't answer to the leaders of any political party or factions thereof. I can keep an open mind on issues and answer to conscience, good sense, and constituents. This should be an interesting strategic race, and voters will benefit as discussion of ideas winnows the field from four good people willing to get involved to one candidate who represents the best of our district.”

House 23

The winner of the Democratic Primary between Shekarchi and Anderson is expected to take on Republican challenger Dana Traversie who declared his candidacy for office on Tuesday.

House 24

Shanley who was first elected in 2016 is seeking re-election and is expected to face off against Martin who is running as an independent.

Senate 31

In the Senate District 31 Democratic Primary former Assistant Attorney General Matt LaMountain, Katelyn Revens and Harrison Tuttle who is endorsed in the race by Anderson have all declared as Democrats.

On the Republican side Lisa Morse, a member of the Warwick Republican City Committee executive board and John Silvaggio have both declared in the race.

Senate 30

In Senate District 30 Mark McKenney who beat Calkin in 2018 is looking to win the seat back after losing to her in 2020. Calkin served in the State Senate from 2016 to 2018.
On the Republican side Raymon Tremmel and Marjorie Tudino declared his candidacy this week.

Senate 29

Running in District 29 is Jennifer Rourke who ran unsuccessfully against McCaffrey in 2018 and 2020.

Aside from Rourke, Michael Carreiro is the President of Local 2748 which is the union for the Warwick Firefighters has declared for the seat.

On the Republican side as of Tuesday, Anthony Deluca II and Christopher Barker have entered the race.