Stefano Famiglietti Receives Democratic Nomination for Rhode Island Senate Vacancy
The special election was called following the death of State Senator Dominick Ruggerio (D).
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in Rhode Island to select candidates for a vacancy in the State Senate. Four Democrats and one Republican qualified for the primary ballot. A candidate only needs a plurality of the vote to receive their party’s nomination.
The special election for Rhode Island Senate District 4 was called following the death of State Senator Dominick Ruggerio, a Democrat, from cancer. He represented this district from January 1985 to April 2025. He served as the chamber’s president from March 2017 until his passing. He was re-elected unopposed in November 2024.
Rhode Island Senate District 4 covers parts of North Providence and Providence.
Stefano Famiglietti won the Democratic primary with 68.1% (1,663) against Marcia Ranglin-Vassell with 15.6% (380), Lenny Cioe with 11.5% (281), and Manny Taveras with 4.8% (118). 2,442 votes counted.
Famiglietti has served District 2 on the North Providence Town Council since 2018. He also chairs the North Providence Democratic Town Committee.
Meanwhile, Alex Asermely won the Republican primary unopposed.
An attorney and political newcomer, Asermely is the first Republican candidate to compete for District 4 since 2008.
The Rhode Island Senate currently features 33 Democrats and four Republicans. This is the chamber’s only vacancy. The special election between Famiglietti and Asermely will occur on August 5, 2025.