Rhode Island's Eighth State Senate District is currently represented by Democratic Senator Sandra Cano.

Rhode Island State Senators represent an average of 27,699 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 27,587 residents.

About the chamber

Members of the Rhode Island State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Rhode Island legislators assume office the first Tuesday in January.

Qualifications

Article III of the Rhode Island Constitution lays out the requirements for officeholders of Rhode Island's state government.

Salaries

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the senate, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The Secretary of State must call for an election to be held anywhere from 70 to 90 days after the vacancy occurred. No election can be held if the vacancy happens after the first Monday in February during an election year. The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Rhode Island State Senate will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for September 8, 2020. The filing deadline is June 24, 2020.

2018

Regular election

Special election

Pawtucket City Councilwoman Sandra Cano won the special election for the position of Rhode Island State Senate District 8 on April 3, 2018. The seat became vacant after James Doyle (D) resigned on January 9, 2018, saying he was stepping down to deal with personal health struggles. The filing deadline for candidates interested in running for the seat was on January 19, 2018.

A total of six candidates filed to fill the open seat. Sandra Cano defeated David Norton and Matthew Fecteau in the Democratic primary on February 27, 2018, while Nathan Luciano defeated Richard Karsulavitch in the Republican primary. Pamela Braman declared her intention to run in the special election as an independent candidate but did not appear on the ballot.

2016

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 29, 2016.

Incumbent James Doyle ran unopposed in the Rhode Island State Senate District 8 general election.
Incumbent James Doyle defeated Matthew Fecteau and Mark Theroux in the Rhode Island State Senate District 8 Democratic primary.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016

2014

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014. Incumbent James Doyle was unopposed in the Democratic primary and was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 11, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 27, 2012. Incumbent James Doyle (D) defeated Beth M Croll (I) in the general election and was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 8, General Election, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Rhode Island State Senate District 8 raised a total of $257,853. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $18,418 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Rhode Island State Senate District 8