PROVIDENCE – Democrats maintained their dominance in the General Assembly Tuesday , turning back most Republican challengers, including former state Rep. Justin Price, the only Rhode Island lawmaker to attend the Jan. 6 march on the Capitol
Late Tuesday night, Republicans were in position to gain one seat in the 75-member House, but lose a seat in the 38-member Senate. In Warwick’s Senate District 29, Democrat Peter Appollonio Jr. lead incumbent Republican Anthony DeLuca II by 23 votes with one precinct uncounted.
The GOP entered the election with 14 members in the General Assembly, which would stay the same if current results hold.
State Rep. Megan Cotter, the Exeter Democrat who upset Price by 32 votes in 2022, won by much more this time out, according to preliminary results from the state Board of Elections. She beat the Richmond Republican by more than 650 votes 54% to 46%.
In other key General Assembly races:
- Republican Richard Fascia beat Democrat Kelsey Coletta in Johnston’s House District 42
- Democrat Lori Urso beat independent Cathyann Palocsik in Pawtucket’s Senate District 8
- Democrat Deborah Fellela beat Republican Nick Grasso in Johnston’s House District 43
- Democrat Andrew Dimitri beat Republican Karin Gorman in Johnston’s Senate District 25
- Democrat Todd Patalano beat Republican Jennifer Caputi in Cranton’s Senate District 26
- Republican Christopher Paplauskas beat Democrat Maria Bucci Cranston’s in House District 15 by 49 votes.
- Democrat Earl Read III beat Republican Jeffrey Fisher and independent Vincent Marzullo in House District 26 in West Warwick, Coventry and Warwick
- Republican Marie Hopkins beat Democrat James McElroy in Warwick’s House District 21
- Democrat Peter Appollonio Jr. lead incumbent Republican Anthony Deluca II by 23 votes after midnight in Warwick’s Senate 29. One precinct was still unreported.
- Republican Paul Santucci beat Democrat Bernie Hawkins in Smithfield’s House District 53
- Democrat June Speakman beat independent John Hanley in House District 68 in Warren and Bristol