Seven Candidates Seek to Fill Vacant House Seat

Earlier this month, Rep. Donald J. Lally Jr.,  who had served as a State Representative since 1989, abruptly announced his resignation from the State House, citing personal family issues.  Now seven candidates have filed the required declaration of candidacy form with their local board of canvassers as a first step towards appearing on the ballot in the Special Election for House District 33. 

Those candidates are: 

• Susan Cicilline Buonanno (D) of Narragansett
  
• Jason S. Colonies (D) of Narragansett
  
• Eugene P. Kelly (D) of Narragansett
  
• Carol Hagan McEntee (D) of South Kingstown
  
• Robert A. Trager (R) of South Kingstown
  
• C. Elizabeth Candas (I) of South Kingstown
  
• James L. McKnight, Jr. (I) of Narragansett.

In order to appear on the ballot for the Special Election, these candidates must pick up nomination papers from their local board of canvassers on Wednesday, April 1, obtain valid signatures from fifty eligible voters who reside in House District 33 on their nomination papers and return them on or before Tuesday, April 7, at 4pm. Anyone who is currently registered to vote in House District 33 may sign nomination papers, regardless of political party affiliation.

For more information on the Special Election for House District 33 or any other information related to elections and voting in Rhode Island, please visit the Rhode Island Department of State's Elections Division online at www.sos.ri.gov/elections or call (401) 222-2340.