Kent County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

John Burke retired from the University of Rhode Island in 2019 after 37 years in information technology roles, according to his General Assembly biography. A lifelong West Warwick resident, he sponsored a bill signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee that eliminates marriage licenses for those under 18. Burke represents West Warwick and is Deputy Senate Majority Leader and chair of the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for John Burke.

Gordon E. Rogers of Foster is the Republican candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 21 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. Gordon E. Rogers is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Gordon E. Rogers.

Hanna M. Gallo of Cranston is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 27 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. Hanna M. Gallo is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Hanna M. Gallo.

Peter Appollonio works as a substitute teacher in Warwick Public Schools after a 24-year career with the West Warwick Police Department, retiring as captain in 2017, according to his General Assembly biography. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Rhode Island College and previously served as a school resource officer. Appollonio represents Warwick and was elected in November 2024. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Peter A. Appollonio, Jr.

Matthew L. LaMountain of Warwick is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 31 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. Matthew L. LaMountain is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. Represents Senate District 31 in Warwick and Cranston, having assumed office in January 2023, per State of Rhode Island General Assembly. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Matthew L. LaMountain.

Leonidas Raptakis is a small business owner representing Coventry and West Greenwich, according to his General Assembly biography. He served in the Rhode Island Senate from 1996 to 2010, in the House from 1992 to 1996, and returned to the Senate in November 2012. Raptakis is vice chair of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans' Affairs. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Leonidas Peter Raptakis.

James P. Pierson of Coventry is the Republican candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 33 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. James P. Pierson is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for James P. Pierson.

Elaine Morgan is an entrepreneur and small-business owner of Ashaway Dry Cleaning and formerly served three terms as Hopkinton's first female elected Town Sergeant, according to her General Assembly biography. She was first elected to the Senate in November 2014 and represents Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond and West Greenwich. Morgan is Senate Deputy Minority Whip. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Elaine J. Morgan.

Bridget Valverde holds a bachelor's degree from George Washington University and was first elected to the Rhode Island Senate on November 4, 2018, according to her General Assembly biography. She previously served as vice chairwoman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party Women's Caucus. Valverde represents North Kingstown, East Greenwich and South Kingstown and serves on the Senate Education and Health and Human Services committees.

Joseph McNamara of Warwick is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island House District 19 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. Joseph McNamara is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. McNamara is a retired educator who previously directed the Pawtucket School Department's Alternative Learning Program, according to his official General Assembly biography. He has represented District 19 since November 1994 and chairs the House Education Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Joseph McNamara.

Patrick E. Maloney Jr of Warwick is the Independent candidate for Rhode Island House District 19 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Patrick E. Maloney Jr.

David A. Bennett of Warwick is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island House District 20 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. David A. Bennett is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. Bennett is a retired psychiatric nurse who has focused on health care and addiction issues throughout his legislative career, according to his official General Assembly biography. He was first elected to represent District 20 in November 2010 and chairs the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for David A. Bennett.

Marie Hopkins is a nurse with a background in acute psychiatric care and has taught CNA coursework at the Community College of Rhode Island, according to her General Assembly biography. She holds two bachelor's degrees from Brown University and a nursing degree from URI, where she is pursuing a master's in nursing. Hopkins represents the Conimicut, Hoxsie and Pilgrim neighborhoods of Warwick. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Marie A. Hopkins.

Timothy Howe represented Ward 2 on the Warwick City Council from January 2015 to January 2025, chairing the council's finance committee, according to Warwick Online. He served 10 years in the U.S. Army during the Cold War era and works as a secondary mathematics teacher in Pawtucket. Howe and fellow Democrat William Muto both sought the District 23 Democratic nomination in the September 9 primary; this profile does not assert which of the two advanced. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Timothy Howe.

Evan Shanley is an attorney practicing law with the Gursky/Wiens firm, according to his General Assembly biography. He sponsored the Let RI Vote Act expanding voter access and the Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act. Shanley represents Warwick and East Greenwich and chairs the House State Government and Elections Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Evan Patrick Shanley.

Thomas Noret is a retired law enforcement officer with 20 years at the Coventry Police Department, retiring in 2012, and most recently served as executive director of the Greater Providence YMCA's South County branch, according to his General Assembly biography. He served in the Rhode Island Air National Guard from 1990 to 1994. Noret represents Coventry and West Warwick and is Deputy Majority Leader. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Thomas E. Noret.

Earl Read III is a criminal justice instructor at the Regional Career and Technical Center at Coventry High School, according to his General Assembly biography. He previously served 23 years with the Warwick Police Department, retiring as a detective lieutenant in 2018, and holds a master's degree in criminal justice studies from Roger Williams University. Read represents Coventry, West Warwick and Warwick. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Earl A. Read, III.

Angela Coburn is a West Warwick School Committee member running for the open District 27 seat covering West Warwick and Coventry, per Rhode Island Current. No campaign site was found; the direct article page returned an access error and could not be fully reviewed. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Angela S. Coburn.

George Nardone owns and operates Castle Gate Inc., an upholstery business, and previously worked as a furniture upholsterer at the DJM Company in Pawtucket, according to his General Assembly biography. He was first elected to the House in November 2018 and serves as Senior Deputy Minority Leader. Nardone represents Coventry. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for George A. Nardone.

Justine Caldwell holds a Ph.D. in American studies from Bowling Green State University and previously did advocacy work on women's issues and gun violence prevention, according to her General Assembly biography. She was first elected to the House in November 2018 and is Deputy Majority Leader. Caldwell represents East Greenwich and West Greenwich. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Justine Caldwell.

Michael Chippendale of Foster is the Republican candidate for Rhode Island House District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Rhode Island Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results. Michael Chippendale is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. Chippendale is a retired self-employed real estate investor and property manager who previously owned two custom manufacturing businesses, according to the Rhode Island House Republicans caucus site. He has represented District 40 since November 2010 and serves as House Minority Leader. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Department of State's declared-candidates report is the only verifiable source for Michael Chippendale.