Ruggerio, a 75-year-old North Providence Democrat, has served in the Senate since 1984, making him the Senate “Dean” as the chamber’s most senior member. Attention focused on his re-election bid this year because Ruggerio has been fighting cancer, a case of shingles and other health problems which forced him to miss parts of the legislative session.

In a statement, Ruggerio thanked his supporters and explained his absence from a victory celebration at the Knights of Columbus on Douglas Avenue in North Providence.

“I recently had a procedure that successfully addressed complications from the shingles virus, and I am currently at home recovering,” he said. “While the surgery was successful and I am feeling better every day, I have been advised by my doctors to stay away from crowded spaces until further notice.”

Ruggerio, who plans to run for Senate president again, said, “I will continue to work to vigorously represent their concerns in the State House and to deliver results that benefit all Rhode Islanders.”

Cioe, a registered nurse who lost challenges to Ruggerio in 2020 and 2022, noted Ruggerio’s absence and called for him “pass the torch like Joe Biden.” He said the residents of District 4 “demand and deserve responsive, accountable and professional representation in the statehouse.”

Ruggerio accused Cioe of taking a “cheap shot” at him, saying he remained “deeply involved” in Senate business even as he dealt with medical issues during the last legislative session. He received support from a wide range of senatorsincluding Sen. Tiara Mack, a Providence progressive.

In the home stretch, Ruggerio spent $21,323, leaving him with $203,571 in campaign cash, while Cioe spent $362, leaving him with $5,498 in campaign cash.

This year 52 percent of the congregation’s seats will remain unchallenged thanks to a sharp decline in Democratic primaries and Republican candidates. The unopposed incumbents include House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat.

Senate District 28

The largest field in this year’s assembly primaries involved the five Democrats running for the Senate that Joshua Miller is leaves after 18 years in service.

With all polling places reported, Cranston City Council Vice President Lammis Vargas had 35.8 percent of the vote, leading Rhode Island Conservation Law Foundation Vice President Darrèll Brown with 31.8 percent, Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence Executive Director Melissa Carden with 20 percent, Providence College systems analyst John F. Croke Jr., at 9.3 percent, and Crossroads Rhode Island senior director of education, employment and training Bernice Morris at 3.1 percent.

Miller, a Cranston Democrat, defended legalization of recreational marijuana and gun control legislation and pleaded no contest to allegations about the key of a car with an anti-Biden bumper sticker. No Republican is running in Senate District 28, which includes Cranston’s liberal Edgewood neighborhood and part of Providence.

Senate District 29

In a Democratic primary, former police officer Peter A. Appollonio Jr. topped Jennifer T. Rourke, a founder of the progressive Rhode Island Political Cooperative. With 81 percent of polling stations reporting, Appollonio had 60.9 percent while Rourke had 39.1 percent.

Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey, a Warwick Democrat, held this seat for 28 years before departs in 2022. During an abortion rights rally that year, Rourke was beaten by his Republican opponent then-duty police officer Jeann Lugo, who was later cleared of assault. She won that year’s Democratic primary but lost the general election to Representative Anthony P. DeLuca II, a Warwick Republican.

Appollonio spent 24 years with the West Warwick Police Department, rising to the rank of captain and retiring in 2017. He has worked as a substitute teacher in Warwick. The winner will face DeLuca in the Nov. 5 general election.

Housing district 9

Representative Enrique Sanchez, a Providence Democrat, went on to win a primary revenge against the House’s former chairman of the working committee Anastasia P. Williamswho had been in service for almost 30 years. With all polling stations reporting, Sanchez had 52.5 percent of the vote, while Santos Javier had 27.1 percent and Williams had 20.4 percent.

The campaign has been marred by a flurry of allegations of alleged ethics violations, stolen yard signs and manipulation of postal ballots. No Republican is running in this blue district in Providence.

Housing district 11

House Democratic Caucus Chairwoman Grace Diaz, a Providence Democrat, withstood a primary challenge from Tania Quezada. With all polling stations reporting, Diaz had 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent for Quezada.

Diaz, a native of the Dominican Republic, was first elected in 2004 and is a member of the powerful House Finance Committee. No Republican is running in this blue district in Providence.

Housing district 14

Representative Charlene M. Lima won re-election in a Democratic primary in House District 14, receiving 56.7 percent of the vote to beat Giona A. Picheco, who had 43.3 percent. No Republican is running in this district.

Picheco would have been the first transgender people candidate to be elected to the council. Lima, a Cranston Democrat who was appointed as Deputy Speaker of the Housealso beat Picheco in the 2022 election.

Housing district 16

Representative Brandon C. Potter, a Cranston Democrat, had no problem knocking one back Democratic primary challenge from Joseph R. Graziano, who works in the Secretary of State’s office as a senior public information specialist. Potter received 76.3 percent of the vote to Graziano’s 23.7 percent.

Potter has said he believes he faced a primary because he was an outspoken opponents of online legislation championed by Ruggerio. A spokesman for Ruggerio called that claim “petty nonsense.” Graziano said Ruggerio did not recruit him but he hoped to win Ruggerio’s support.

The winner will face Republican Deborah J. Leong, vice chair of the Rhode Island Federation of Republican Women and past president of the Rhode Island Association of Chinese Americans.

Housing district 37

Representative Samuel Azzinaro, a western Democrat, won a primary challenge against progressive Jonathan Daly-LaBelle, 64.7 percent to 35.3 percent. No Republican is running in the district.

Housing district 42

In another close primary, Kelsey Coletta led Rep. Edward T. Cardillo Jr., a Johnston Democrat, by 31 votes. With all precincts reporting, Coletta had 42.5 percent of the vote, leading Cardillo with 40 percent and his nephew, Dennis Cardillo Jr., who had 17.5 percent.

In a state with few degrees of separation, not only are the Cardillo candidates related, but Coletta is the daughter of House Majority Floor Leader John G. “Jay” Edwards, a Tiverton Democrat. The progressive Working Families Party supported Coletta against the more conservative Cardillo.

The winner will face Republican Richard Rawdon Fascia in the Nov. 5 general election.

Housing district 58

Representative Cherie L. Cruz, a Pawtucket Democrat, won a primary challenge from Elizabeth Moreira, 60.9 percent to 39.1 percent. The Rhode Island Working Families Party endorsed Cruz, but Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien’s political machine supported Moreira. No Republican is running in the district.

United States Senate Democratic Primary

United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse victory in a Democratic primary against Michael J. Costa, a Bristol briefly running for governor as a Republican in 2022. With 95 percent of the polls reporting, Whitehouse had 83.9 percent of the vote to Costa’s 16.1 percent.

“I work hard every day on behalf of all Rhode Islanders, and I am honored and grateful to have their overwhelming support today,” Whitehouse said in a statement. “We’re heading into November with a strong Democratic ticket, from Vice President Harris on the ballot.”

Whitehouse had $3.6 million in his campaign account as of Aug. 21, according to the Federal Election Commission, while Costa loaned his campaign $200,000, bringing his campaign receipts to $237,000.

Republican US Senate primaries

State representative Patricia L. Morganof West Warwick, beat Raymond T. McKaya Warwick, in a GOP primary. With 95 percent of polling stations reporting, Morgan had 64.4 percent of the vote to McKay’s 35.6 percent.

Morgan raised $238,278 and had $144,625 in campaign cash as of Aug. 21, while McKay had raised $148,371 and had $17,803 in campaign cash, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Woonsocket’s mayoral primary

In Woonsocket’s nonpartisan mayoral primary, City Council President John Ward and Mayor Christopher A. Beauchamp advanced to the Nov. 5 general election. Ward received 54.7 percent of the vote, while Beauchamp received 39.6 percent and Keith Harrison received percent.

In November 2023, Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt abruptly departed days after the city council launched an investigation into a land deal she made with a former business partner. She cited “health issues” as the reason for her sudden departure.

This is news and will be updated.

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Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @FitzProv.