Providence County, Rhode Island

Rhode Island House District 18

2 candidates are tracked for Rhode Island House District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Arthur Handy and Jessica Gomes. Candidate information follows official Providence County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Arthur Handy (Democratic), Jessica Gomes (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Rhode Island House District 18; Arthur Handy, Jessica Gomes are sitting members, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the September 9 primary results. Source: the Department of State's declared-candidates report and the Board of Elections' September 9, 2026 primary results (unofficial until certified).

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Arthur Handy, Jessica Gomes.

Rhode Island › Providence County › Rhode Island House District 18

Arthur Handy

DemocraticIncumbent

Biography

Arthur Handy of Cranston is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island House District 18 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. Arthur Handy is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. Handy is employed by Family Services of Rhode Island and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, according to his official General Assembly biography. He has represented District 18 since first being elected in November 2002 and is a 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 Arthur Handy.

Jessica Gomes

RepublicanIncumbent

Biography

Jessica Gomes of Cranston is the Republican candidate for Rhode Island House District 18 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. Jessica Gomes 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 Jessica Gomes.

Next on your ballotRhode Island House District 19

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Rhode Island House District 18 in 2026?

When is the Rhode Island House District 18 election in Rhode Island?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Rhode Island are on the Rhode Island election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Providence County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Providence County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Rhode Island election office, or see the full Providence County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Providence County ballot

72 tracked races in Providence County, Rhode Island. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Rhode Island House District 20 Rhode Island House District 40 Rhode Island House District 41 See all 72 Providence County races

Candidate profiles

Arthur Handy, full profile Jessica Gomes, full profile Official Rhode Island election office