See the 15 General Assembly Races to Watch in 2014

#1

South County Show Down

House District 34

Teresa Tanzi (D)

Stephen Tetzner (R)

South County Republican businessman Stephen Tetzner (who founded Homestar Mortgage) is looking to unseat two-term Democratic incumbent Teresa Tanzi.  Tanzi sponsored legislation in 2012 to address the state's "good time" laws, in order to prevent criminals convicted of serious offenses from being released earlier because of good behavior.  Tetzner, the small-business, pro-gun rights, anti-Deepwater Wind advocate is being dubbed a formidable opponent to Tanzi.  

Pictured: Teresa Tanzi

#2

Domestic Abuse the Focus

House District 32

Robert Craven (D)

Sharon Gamba (R)

Democrat Craven, who was first elected to the seat in 2012, faces Republican Sharon Gamba, who was tapped by the national Republican State Leadership Committee as one of 14 "Right Women, Right Now" for 2014.  Craven, who co-sponsored legislation in 2014 to eliminate the master lever, was recently found to have expunged two domestic violence charges and was the subject of a lawsuit which he said was "tried and dismissed."  Gamba, a business owner (Cranston Collision Center), is being touted by the state's GOP as one of the top prospects to win in 2014.  

Pictured: Bob Craven

#3

Pension Reform

House - District 26 

Patricia Morgan (R)

Nick Denice (D)

Democratic attorney and West Warwick native Nick Denice is challenging Republican Patricia Morgan, who has held the seat since 2014.  Denice chaired the West Warwick Pension Board that orchestrated a five year plan to save the city $6.3 million; Deputy Minority leader Morgan was previously the Chair of the Rhode Island Republican Party. 

Picture: Patricial Morgan

#4

Rematch Battle

House District 72

Linda Dill Finn (D)

Daniel Patrick Reilly (R)

The Middletown-Portsmouth district should prove to see a close race between one-term incumbent Democrat Linda Finn and previous State Representative, Republican Dan Reilly.  Reilly, who had been a staunch opponent to Sakonnet bridge tolls, is looking to defeat Finn, who counts the passage of the RI Broadband Advisory Committee as her chief legislative accomplishment.  

Pictured: Linda Dill Finn

#5

Wizard Brawl

Senate District 9

Adam Satchell (D)

Michael Pinga (I)

Incumbent Satchell, a one-term Democrat, is squaring off once against former Democratic State Representative (turned Independent) Michael Pinga.  Satchel defeated Pinga in the 2012 Democratic primary 58% to 42%.  Satchell co-sponsored legislation to place a three year moratorium on using NECAP tests as a graduation requirement.  

Pictured: Adam Satchell

#6

Speaker's Sight

House District 41

Michael Marcello (D)

Lillian Jean Delmonico (R)

Marcello, who was first elected to the House in 2008, mounted a challenge to now-Speaker Nicholas Mattiello to replace the chamber's top seat when former Speaker Gordon Fox stepped down.  The Scituate district was previously Republican when Carol Mumford held the seat for ten years prior to Marcello, a distinction Scituate School Committee member Delmonico will look to capitalize on come November 4.  

Pictured:  Michael Marcello

#7

Big GOP Target

House District 28 

Scott Guthrie (D)

Robert Nardolillo (R)

Deputy Majority Leader Guthrie, who first served in the General Assembly in 2001 and 2002 before being reelected in 2008, is facing Republican challenger Robert "Bobby" Nardolillo. Guthrie, who authored legislation to address the beleaguered Coventry Fire District, will have a strong contest against his opponent of Nardolillo Funeral Home name recognition.  

Pictured: Scott Guthrie

#8

Beach Blanket Bingo

House District 16

Peter Palumbo (D)

Robert Lancia (R)

Long-time Democratic State Representative first elected in 1994, Palumbo took a huge hit this year when he came under public scrutiny -- and an ethics investigation -- amidst a state beach contract controversy that saw former Democratic Party Chair David Caprio step down amidst questions of ethical conduct.  Republican Lancia ran unsuccessfully for State Senate in 2012, but will look to capitalize on the opportunity presented in this year's race.  

Pictured: Peter Palumbo

#9

New Face v. Democrat Experience

House District 35

Kathleen Fogarty (D)

Lacey McGreevy (R)

Fogarty is the former President of the South Kingstown Town Council. McGreevy is a new comer and is focused on improving the business climate in RI.

McGreevey says,  "High taxes and over-regulation are some of the biggest job killers in Rhode Island. When elected I will do everything in my power to vote for smart common sense laws designed to grow Rhode Islands economy."

Pictured: Lacey McGreevy

#10

Canario Faces a Strong Iraq Veteran

House District 71

Dennis Canario (D)

Norbert Rattay (R) 

Canrio is a House Dem true and true - 65% score from Common Cause and a strong supporter of increasing the minimum wage.

In contract, Rattay is a retired Colonel in the United State Air Force Reserves. He had two deployments in Iraq.

Pictured:  Dennis Canario

#11

Battle in Westerly

House District 37

Samuel Azzinaro (D) 

Caswell Cooke (R)

The district has a rich history of GOP support. Cooke is formidable - 6 time member of the Town Council has a strong base. 

Azzinaro looks for support from the Democratic party to hold the seat.

Pictured: Caswell Cooke

#12

Seat for the Taking

Senate District 32

Giovanni Cicione (R)

Cynthia "Cindy" Coyne (D)

The race for retiring Republican Senator David Bates' seat -- who was first elected to the General Assembly in 1992 -- is proving to be a heated one between former state Republican Party Chair Giovanni Cicionne, and Democrat Cynthia "Cindy" Coyne, a retired State Police Lieutenant and Barrington Town Council member. 

Pictured: Giovani Cicione

#13

Providence Battleground

House District 12

Joseph Almeida (D)

Luis Vargas (I)

Deputy Majority Whip Almeida served in the house from 1999 to 2010, then was reelected in 2012 -- and now faces a general election challenge in the way of Independent Luis Vargas, who came to Rhode Island from Puerto Rico at the age of 2, ultimately graduating from Roger Williams University with a dual degree in political science and legal studies.   

Pictured:  Joe Almeida

#15

Top Tier Ticket

Senate District 13

M. Teresa Paiva-Weed (D)

Mike Smith (R)

Perhaps the race with the biggest ramifications for the future of the General Assembly is that between Democratic Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed and Republican challenger Mike Smith.  The Newport contest - which is already a battleground for the vote on the Newport Grand table games referendum -- would have major implications for the 2015 General Assembly if Smith were to prevail. 

Pictured: Senate President Paiva Weed