Procedure and background
Voter registration in Senate District 4 as of April 2025 per the office of the Secretary of State:
- Democratic (45.5%)
- Republican (11.2%)
- Unaffiliated (43.3%)
Under state law, vacancies in the Rhode Island Legislature are filled by special election. The Rhode Island Secretary of State is required to schedule an election between 70 and 90 days of the initial vacancy. If the vacancy took place after the first Monday of February during a general election year, the special election must be held in tandem with the general election. The elected legislator will serve the remainder of the unexpired term. [2]
The election was made necessary by the death of Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio after his death from cancer on the morning of April 21, 2025. He had represented the 4th district since 2005, but served in the legislature continuously since 1981. He served as majority leader from 2009 to 2017, and served as President of the Rhode Island Senate from 2017 until his death. A new leader for the Senate presidency will also need to be held. Before the vacancy, Democrats dominated the legislature 34 to 4 Republicans, so the special election will not significantly affect the balance of power in the chamber. [3]
As of April 2025, registered voters affiliated with the Democratic Party heavily outnumber registered Republicans. Of the 21,295 registered voters, 9,679 or 45.5% are registered Democrats, 2,390 or 11.2% are registered Republicans, and 9,226 or 43.3% have no partisan affiliation. [4]
Previous results (2004–present)
| Year | Democrats | Opponents |
|---|
| 2024 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 10,736 | 94.87% | Write-in | 580 | 5.13% |
| 2022 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 6,892 | 93.00% | Write-in | 519 | 7.00% |
| 2020 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 9,590 | 94.01% | Write-in | 611 | 5.99% |
| 2018 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,293 | 95.92% | Write-in | 310 | 4.08% |
| 2016 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 8,485 | 95.78% | Write-in | 374 | 4.22% |
| 2014 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 6,443 | 96.48% | Write-in | 235 | 3.52% |
| 2012 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,039 | 66.32% | John D. Ricottilli (Ind.) | 2,924 | 27.55% |
| Michael J. Rollins (Lbt.) | 614 | 5.79% |
| Write-in | 36 | 0.34% |
| 2010 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 5,360 | 65.99% | Thomas J. Rossi (Ind.) | 2,762 | 34.01% |
| 2008 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,759 | 70.05% | Christine C. Spaziano (Rep.) | 3,318 | 29.95% |
| 2006 | Dominick J. Ruggerio (i) | 7,417 | 78.90% | Gary G. Jerejian (Rep.) | 1,983 | 21.10% |
| 2004 | Dominick J. Ruggerio | 8,022 | 78.54% | Eze Aso (Rep.) | 2,192 | 21.46% |
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