Former Providence City Councilmember Sam Zurier handily won (in unofficial results) the Senate District 3 Special Democratic Primary election to replace former Senator Gayle Goldin, who has taken a job with the Biden Administration.

Zurier has a long career as a politician on the east side of Providence, and deep roots in the community. In an interview with UpriseRI, Zurier was the only candidate who suggested that the Law Enforcement Officer’s Bill of Rights (LEOBoR) be amended, not repealed, and he was the only candidate who suggested that increasing taxes on the richest one percent of Rhode Islanders might be possible only with a sunset clause after three years.

Zurier had the strong endorsement of long-time State Representative Edie Ajello.

Zurier will now face off against Republican Alex Cannon, but in the very blue District 3 on the East Side of Providence, Zurier is expected to win the seat.

Progressive candidates Geena Pham, backed by the RI Political Cooperative, and Bret Jacob, backed by the RI Working Families Party, came in second and third, possibly splitting the progressive vote and giving Zurier a clear path to victory.

Sorry to hear about @PhamForRI. She had our vote (at least those of us who voted). Let this prove that the co-op cannot just run a progressive against another progressive and pretend like they can win. You have to consolidate the vote, and that requires reaching across the aisle

— Providence Leftist Radio Podcast (@plrpodcast) October 6, 2021

Just talked with @SamZurier. He says his win with 31% of the vote shows that he can learn a lot from the other candidates. He says this could also help make the case for ranked-choice voting in RI’s gubernatorial race

— Ian Donnis (@IanDon) October 6, 2021

Sam Zurier on SD3 victory: pic.twitter.com/GnrC4IQMyq

— Bill Bartholomew (@BillBartholomew) October 6, 2021