Rhode Island Local Candidates File For 2026 Elections
Municipal and school district contenders across Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton, and the Chariho Regional School District officially submitted candidacy declarations this week. The filings concluded on the state deadline this past Wednesday. Local voters will cast ballots during the primary elections on September 9, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3, 2026.
Key Highlights
- Incumbent State Representatives Tina Spears and Megan Cotter filed for reelection alongside primary challenges.
- The Chariho School Committee draws a competitive mix of incumbent Democrats and new Republican and Independent challengers.
- Richmond and Hopkinton Town Councils see strong fields as multiple incumbents seek to retain their seats against challengers.
- Senate District 34 features a high-profile matchup between a sitting Town Council President and an incumbent State Senator.
State Representative Tina Spears, a Democrat representing District 36 across Charlestown, South Kingstown, New Shoreham, and Westerly, launched her bid for reelection. Spears holds the official party endorsement for the seat. However, fellow Democrats Leah Boisclair and Wilfred Collette also submitted papers, establishing a potential primary matchup.
For the Chariho School Committee, sitting members Craig Louzon, Linda Lyall, and Holly Eaves, all Democrats, filed to protect their seats. They face a fresh field of challengers in the school committee race. New declarations came from Republicans Kim Coulter and James Sullivan, alongside Independent candidates James McCabe and Nicholas Testa.
The race for the Charlestown Town Council features a crowded field of tenured politicians and newcomers. Incumbents Deborah Carney, a Democrat, Republicans Craig Marr and Stephen Stokes, and Independent Bonnie Van Slyke filed for reelection. Challengers Cynthia Drummond and Jill Fonnemann, both Democrats, Republican Matthew Westover, and Independent Sasha Puchalski also declared their candidacies.
In District 39, which covers Exeter, Hopkinton, and Richmond, incumbent Democratic Representative Megan Cotter filed to retain her seat. The Republican party countered with two filings for the District 39 legislative race. Republican contenders Paul Michaud and Jasmin Roy both submitted declaration papers to challenge the seat.
A significant shift is underway for State Senate District 34, spanning Hopkinton, Charlestown, Exeter, Richmond, and West Greenwich. Richmond Town Council President Samantha Wilcox, a Democrat, filed to run for the state senate seat. Wilcox enters the race against incumbent Republican Senator Elaine J. Morgan, who filed for reelection.
The Chariho School Committee race in Richmond will feature entirely fresh representation. Democratic candidates Patrick Farrell and Andrew McCoy, alongside Republican David Lelli, officially entered the race. No sitting incumbent members chose to run for reelection to the school committee from the town of Richmond.
The Richmond Town Council race features multiple sitting members seeking to retain their seats. Incumbent Democrats Daniel Madnick, Jim Palmisciano, and Mark Reynolds all filed candidacy papers for reelection. They face challenges from a Republican slate consisting of Paul Erdos, Norbert Morin, and former State Representative Justin Price.
In District 38, covering Hopkinton and Westerly, veteran Democratic Representative Brian Patrick Kennedy filed for reelection. Kennedy faces internal opposition within his own party. Democrat Stephen Moffitt also filed candidacy papers to run for the District 38 seat as an unendorsed challenger.
Hopkinton candidates for the Chariho School Committee show a mixture of experienced members and fresh faces. Incumbent Republican members Edward Lowe and Larry Phelps declared their bids for reelection. Challengers entering the race include Democrats Gregory Avedisian and Justin Bentley, Republican Robert Greene, and Independent Catherine Giusti.
Finally, the Hopkinton Town Council race features a competitive six-way contest for municipal leadership. Incumbent Republican councilmen Robert Burns and Michael Geary both officially filed to seek reelection. They face challenges from Democrat Kevin Lambert, Independent Sylvia Thompson, and fellow Republican candidates Robert Boudreau and Scott Sunderland.
Future Outlook
The high volume of candidate filings signals a highly competitive 2026 election cycle for southern Rhode Island. With multiple unendorsed primary challenges bubbling up in District 36 and District 38, the Democratic party faces internal battles before the autumn. Meanwhile, the influx of Republican and Independent challengers in local town councils and the Chariho School Committee guarantees that education policy, municipal tax rates, and local zoning control will remain central debate topics leading up to the September 9 primaries and the November 3 general vote.
FAQs
When will the Rhode Island local primary and general elections take place?
The primary elections are scheduled for September 9, 2026. The general election will take place on November 3, 2026.
Who is challenging Representative Tina Spears in District 36?
Representative Tina Spears is the officially endorsed Democratic candidate, but she faces primary challenges from fellow Democrats Leah Boisclair and Wilfred Collette.
Are there any incumbents running for the Chariho School Committee from Richmond?
No incumbent school committee members from Richmond filed for reelection this year. The candidates who filed are Patrick Farrell, Andrew McCoy, and David Lelli.
Which incumbents are running again for the Charlestown Town Council?
Charlestown Town Council incumbents Deborah Carney, Craig Marr, Stephen Stokes, and Bonnie Van Slyke have all filed declaration papers to run for reelection.
