When Dominick Ruggerio died in April, Rhode Island lost its most powerful legislator—a man who served as Senate President for a little under decade and wielded enormous influence over state policy. Now, four Democrats are vying to replace him in a July 8 primary that could fundamentally alter the balance of power in the State House.

The candidates present voters with starkly different visions. On one side stand two progressives with decades of experience fighting for working families: Lenny Cioe, a registered nurse who has challenged the political establishment for years, and Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, a former state representative with a proven track record of passing landmark legislation. On the other side are two candidates more aligned with the status quo: Stefano Famiglietti, a young lawyer backed by the Democratic Party establishment, and Manuel “Manny” Taveras, a healthcare industry executive whose brother previously served as Providence mayor.

The choice voters make will determine whether District 4—which includes North Providence and parts of Providence—continues down the path of insider politics or embraces a more progressive agenda focused on healthcare reform, education funding, and economic justice.

The Healthcare Worker Who Keeps Fighting

At 65, Lenny Cioe has spent decades caring for patients as a registered nurse. He’s worked at community health centers and negotiated contracts as a union representative. This background shapes his approach to politics in fundamental ways.

“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” Cioe often says, and his platform reflects that belief. He wants to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates to prevent doctor shortages and nursing home closures—a crisis that has displaced elderly residents across the state. He supports auditing and reversing Medicaid cuts to ensure funding actually reaches patients rather than insurance companies.

Cioe’s economic platform goes further than typical Democratic talking points. He backs a “millionaire’s tax” on wealthy residents and opposes corporate tax breaks that he argues harm working people. He wants every public school teacher to earn at least $60,000 annually and believes quality education should be a constitutional right.

Perhaps most importantly, Cioe has consistently challenged corruption and mismanagement. He highlighted the Washington Bridge safety crisis, blasting state officials for ignoring a 2015 safety report. This pattern of holding powerful interests accountable runs throughout his campaign.

The knock against Cioe is electability—he’s lost three previous primaries to Ruggerio. But those races were against one of the state’s most powerful politicians. Critics also paint him as too progressive for the district, though his grassroots support suggests many voters are hungry for change.

The Legislator with Proven Results

Marcia Ranglin-Vassell brings something none of the other candidates can claim: a track record of actually passing progressive legislation at the state level. During her six years representing Providence in the House (2017-2023), she transformed campaign promises into law.

Her signature achievement was ending “lunch shaming” in schools—ensuring no child is ever denied a meal or humiliated due to inability to pay. She also passed the Trauma-Informed Schools Act, requiring schools to recognize and address student trauma so children can learn in supportive environments. She championed the Rhode Island Doula Reimbursement Act, expanding support for pregnant women and addressing racial disparities in maternal health.

Ranglin-Vassell was a driving force behind raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. She fought for pay equity and helped codify abortion rights into state law. Through legislative grants, she directed funding to after-school programs, senior centers, and libraries in her district.

As a teacher for over 30 years in Providence Public Schools, Ranglin-Vassell understands the challenges facing students and families. Her personal story—immigrating from Jamaica as a single mother and working her way through college while holding multiple jobs—gives her credibility when discussing economic struggles.

Her gun safety advocacy stems from personal experience. A student’s shooting death in her community drove her to run for office in 2016, when she stunned the political establishment by defeating longtime House Majority Leader John DeSimone by just 21 votes.

The potential challenge for Ranglin-Vassell is geography—she’s less known in North Providence than in her former House district. However, she argues her work benefited the entire state, not just Providence.

The Healthcare Executive’s Insider Knowledge

Manuel “Manny” Taveras, 40, offers a different perspective as someone who has worked inside the healthcare system for 15 years. As an Account Director at a pharmacy benefit management company, he helps large clients control drug costs and navigate healthcare regulations.

Taveras positions this experience as an asset, arguing he understands how to reform healthcare from within. He supports increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates and strengthening community health centers. His bilingual abilities and Dominican heritage help him connect with Latino communities in the district.

His community involvement includes coaching youth sports and serving on the Democratic State Committee. His brother Angel’s tenure as Providence mayor (2011-2015) provides name recognition and political connections.

However, Taveras works for the very industry many blame for high prescription drug costs. Pharmacy benefit managers have faced criticism for their role in pricing schemes that inflate costs for patients while generating profits for middlemen. While Taveras frames himself as a reformer, voters might question whether someone with financial ties to the current system will truly fight to change it.

His policy positions are also more moderate than his progressive opponents. While he supports some reforms, he hasn’t embraced bold initiatives like single-payer healthcare or significant tax increases on the wealthy.

The Establishment’s Chosen One

Stefano Famiglietti, 33, represents continuity with the Ruggerio era. The North Providence Town Councilor received the unanimous endorsement of the District 4 Democratic Committee, placing him first on the ballot and signaling party insider support.

Famiglietti’s endorsement roster reads like a who’s who of North Providence Democratic politics: Mayor Charles Lombardi, most Town Council members, and even Lisa Ruggerio Aceto, the late senator’s sister. This institutional backing suggests he would maintain existing power structures rather than challenge them.

His platform emphasizes “responsible budgeting” and fiscal prudence—coded language that often means opposing new spending on social programs. While he supports municipal services and infrastructure improvements, he’s been notably vague on progressive priorities like healthcare reform, climate change, and economic inequality.

Famiglietti’s legal background and Town Council experience provide governing skills, but his record shows few bold initiatives. His approach appears designed to avoid controversy rather than tackle systemic problems. For voters seeking transformative change, his candidacy offers little inspiration.

The unanimous nature of his endorsement also raises questions about backroom dealing. When party committees choose candidates without competitive processes, it can suggest insider politics rather than merit-based selection.

What the Records Reveal

The candidates’ backgrounds tell a clear story about their priorities and likely voting patterns as senators.

Cioe and Ranglin-Vassell have spent their careers directly serving vulnerable populations—patients, students, and working families. Their policy platforms reflect this experience with concrete proposals to expand healthcare access, increase education funding, and raise wages. Both have challenged powerful interests and demonstrated willingness to take on establishment figures.

Cioe’s union background and Ranglin-Vassell’s legislative record suggest they would vote consistently for progressive priorities. Neither has significant ties to corporate interests that might compromise their independence.

Taveras presents a more complex picture. His community involvement is genuine, but his corporate employment creates potential conflicts. The healthcare industry spends millions lobbying against reforms that would reduce profits. A senator with financial ties to that industry might face pressure to moderate positions on drug pricing, insurance regulation, or single-payer healthcare.

Famiglietti’s establishment backing signals he would likely follow the votes of party leadership rather than challenge it. His vague positions on major issues suggest he would avoid taking stands that might upset powerful interests. For voters seeking someone who will “fight for them,” his record offers little evidence of such willingness.

The Stakes for Voters

This election occurs at a critical moment for Rhode Island. The state faces a healthcare crisis with provider shortages and nursing home closures. Public schools need significant investment. Working families struggle with rising costs while corporations receive tax breaks.

Ruggerio often prioritized stability over reform, sometimes blocking progressive initiatives. His replacement will help determine whether the Senate becomes more responsive to working families or continues protecting existing power structures.

The July 8 primary will be decided by engaged Democratic voters. Those who want genuine change have clear choices in Cioe and Ranglin-Vassell. Those comfortable with the status quo can support Famiglietti or Taveras.

Ranglin-Vassell’s legislative record provides the strongest evidence of ability to pass meaningful reforms. She has already transformed campaign promises into laws that improved lives. Cioe brings decades of frontline experience and demonstrated willingness to challenge corruption.

Both offer voters something increasingly rare in politics: candidates whose life experiences align with their stated values, whose records show consistent advocacy for working people, and whose independence from corporate influence seems genuine.

Voters can register or change party affiliation through June 8. Early voting runs from June 18 through July 7, with the primary on July 8. The general election follows August 5.

The choice is clear for those seeking representatives who will prioritize people over profits, challenge corruption over enabling it, and fight for systemic change rather than preserving the status quo. Rhode Island voters have the opportunity to send someone to the Senate who will actually fight for them—if they choose to take it.