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Rhode Island, State Senate, District 23

Rhode Island State Senate District 23
Current incumbentJessica de la Cruz Republican Party

Rhode Island's twenty-third state senate district is represented by Republican Senator Jessica de la Cruz.

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

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$15,959/yearNo per diem is paid.

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

General election
General election for Rhode Island State Senate District 23

Jessica de la Cruz (R) defeated Kevin Heitke (D) in the general election for Rhode Island State Senate District 23 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Jessica de la Cruz (R)
55.4
6,217

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Kevin Heitke (D)
44.4
4,983
Other/Write-in votes
0.1
12

Total votes: 11,212
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 23

Kevin Heitke defeated Paul Roselli in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 23 on September 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Kevin Heitke (D)
52.9
1,231

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Paul Roselli (D)
47.1
1,098

Total votes: 2,329
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 23

Jessica de la Cruz defeated John Pacheco III in the Republican primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 23 on September 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Jessica de la Cruz (R)
50.6
646

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

John Pacheco III (R)
49.4
631

Total votes: 1,277

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 Paul Fogarty defeated Stephen Rawson in the Rhode Island State Senate District 23 general election.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 23 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Paul Fogarty Incumbent 58.22% 7,628
Republican Stephen Rawson 41.78% 5,475
Total Votes 13,103
Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections

Incumbent Paul Fogarty ran unopposed in the Rhode Island State Senate District 23 Democratic primary.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 23 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Paul Fogarty Incumbent (unopposed)

Stephen Rawson ran unopposed in the Rhode Island State Senate District 23 Republican primary.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 23 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Stephen Rawson (unopposed)

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 Paul Fogarty was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Lauri Archambault ran as an independent candidate. Fogarty defeated Archambault in the general election.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 23, General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPaul Fogarty Incumbent 59.8% 5,215
Independent Lauri Archambault 40.2% 3,503
Total Votes 8,718

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 Paul Fogarty (D) defeated Julian P. Forgue (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Rhode Island State Senate, District 23, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPaul Fogarty Incumbent 59% 7,513
Republican Julian P. Forgue 40.9% 5,201
Other Write-in 0.1% 14
Total Votes 12,728

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Rhode Island State Senate District 23 raised a total of $343,187. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $19,066 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Rhode Island State Senate District 23

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $36,500 2 $18,250
2014 $44,423 2 $22,212
2012 * $70,175 2 $35,088
2010 $54,703 2 $27,352
2008 $56,096 2 $28,048
2006 $24,840 1 $24,840
2004 $26,315 3 $8,772
2002 $2,800 2 $1,400
2000 $27,335 2 $13,668
Total $343,187 18 $19,066
* Campaign finance data for 2012 is incomplete for this district.