Espinal Wins Controversial Providence City Council Ward 10 Primary

Espinal Wins Controversial Providence City Council Ward 10 Primary

Pedro Espinal is the winner of the Democratic primary for the Ward 10 seat.

The seat was vacated when long-time Councilman Luis Aponte stepped down after pleading guilty to embezzling campaign funds.

Espinal defeated three Democratic candidates --  Monica Huertas, Natalia Rosa Sosa, and Orlando Correa.

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During the campaign, an attorney filed a complaint with the RI State Police charging that Espinal bounced an $85,000 check over a real estate dispute.

In addition, Espinal owes tens of thousands of dollars of delinquent property taxes.

Huertas was the first test for Matt Brown’s RI Political Cooperative.

“The R.I. Political Cooperative was proud to fight for and with Monica Huertas. Monica’s campaign was about solving the problems people in her community are facing - making sure they have affordable housing, a living wage and good schools for their children. Those are the things Monica has always fought for and will continue to fight for,” said Jennifer Rourke, RI Political Cooperative Co-Chair.

In the general election, Espinal will face Jeffrey Lemire, an independent candidate.

Final numbers (unofficial)

Pedro Espinal 304

Natalie Rosa Sosa 236

Orlando Correa 205

Monica Huertas 101

Those numbers include mail ballots.