Providence County, Rhode Island

Rhode Island Senate District 5

2 candidates are tracked for Rhode Island Senate District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Samuel W. Bell and William D. Connell, Jr.. Candidate information follows official Providence County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Samuel W. Bell (Democratic), William D. Connell, Jr. (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Rhode Island Senate District 5; Samuel W. Bell, William D. Connell, Jr. 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: Samuel W. Bell, William D. Connell, Jr..

Rhode Island › Providence County › Rhode Island Senate District 5

Samuel W. Bell

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

Addressing the housing crisis
Opposing tax cuts favoring wealthy individuals

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Samuel W. Bell of Providence is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 5 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. Samuel W. Bell is the sitting member for the district, per the Board of Elections' incumbent marker on the primary results. Has discussed the housing crisis with constituents and spoken on the Senate floor against tax cuts favoring wealthy individuals, per sambellpvd.com.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

William D. Connell, Jr.

RepublicanIncumbent

Biography

William D. Connell, Jr. is the Republican candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 5 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. William D. Connell, Jr. 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 William D. Connell, Jr.

Next on your ballotRhode Island Senate District 6

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Rhode Island Senate District 5 in 2026?

When is the Rhode Island Senate District 5 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 Senate District 7 Rhode Island Senate District 8 Rhode Island Senate District 14 See all 72 Providence County races

Candidate profiles

Samuel W. Bell, full profile William D. Connell, Jr., full profile Official Rhode Island election office