Declarations now being taken for Dennigan's seat

PAWTUCKET - Representatives from the Rhode Island Secretary of State's Office have announced that they will begin accepting declarations of candidacy to run in a special election for the recently vacated House District 62 seat starting tomorrow, Oct. 15, and ending Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m.

A special election for Dennigan's vacated seat will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

The District 62 seat, covering parts of Pawtucket and East Providence, is open because former Rep. Elizabeth "Betsy" Dennigan, a Democrat, stepped down on Oct. 1 to take on incumbent Rep. James Langevin for his 2nd Congressional District U.S. House seat. She has spent the past 13 years as a state lawmaker.

Pawtucket makes up most of District 62, or about 85 percent, according to a representative for Dennigan, while East Providence makes up about 15 percent of the district.

The deadline for political party endorsements is Oct. 19, according to Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis. In order to qualify for the ballot, candidates must submit their nomination papers, including the signatures of at least 50 House District 62 voters, by Oct. 27.

It won't be known whether a primary will be necessary until the East Providence and Pawtucket boards of canvassers and Mollis' office have determined whether the candidates submitted enough certified signatures to qualify for the ballot. The certification of signatures generally takes several days.

The following are notable special election calendar events:

* The last day to register to vote in the primary is Oct. 24.

* The deadline for primary mail ballots is Nov. 3.

* Emergency ballots will be available from Nov. 4 to Nov. 23.

* The primary will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, if needed.

* The last day to register for the election is Saturday, Nov. 28.

* The deadline for election mail ballots is Tuesday, Dec. 8.

* Emergency ballots will be available from Dec. 9 to Dec. 28, excluding the Christmas holiday.

* Finally, the special election will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

The Pawtucket Board of Canvassers is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 722-1637 with any questions.

- For more information about registering to vote, visit www.sec.state.ri.us/elections .

October 18, 2009

Dear Arthur,

According to the "Providence Journal", four candidates are interested in running for District 62...Anyone recall who the candidates might be?

Peace,  Ludlow1

As of Saturday'

Four indicate intentions to run for R.I. House seat

01:00 AM EDT on Saturday, October 17, 2009

By Alisha A. Pina

Journal Staff Writer

As of Friday’s deadline, four candidates had taken out declaration papers indicating their intent to run for former state Rep. Elizabeth “Betsy” Dennigan’s District 62 seat.

Dennigan has resigned from the General Assembly position that she held for 13 years to run for Congress in the Second District. The four vying to replace Dennigan include two Pawtucket and two East Providence residents. (The district covers East Providence and a small portion of Pawtucket.)

Candidates have until Oct. 27 to return their papers with 50 signatures from registered voters, canvassing authorities said. The special election will be Dec. 29. There is no need for a primary because there are two independent candidates, one Republican and one Democrat, East Providence Canvassing Clerk MaryAnn Callahan explained.

Democrat Mary Duffy Messier, a recently retired Cumberland teacher from Pawtucket, announced weeks before she could officially declare her intentions.

“I intend to walk door-to-door to learn the issues and challenges facing the residents of the 62nd District,” Messier said. “The economy, taxes, education, health care, the housing crises, crime and the environment are issues that I hope to receive feedback on from the citizens of the district.”

The two independents are newcomer Brian Cinq-Mars, a Pawtucket resident and mortgage specialist, and Paul A. Dinsmore, a lawyer from East Providence who has run and lost in every election since 1988.

Cinq-Mars, 38, is the son-in-law of East Providence City Councilman Bruce DiTraglia.

“Nobody owes me any favors and I don’t owe any favors,” he said.

Dinsmore, who lost to Dennigan repeatedly said, “I run because I want to be elected. I’m dedicated and no one can deny that.”

Republican candidate Thomas L. Clupny, of 30 Bourne Ave., East Providence, did not immediately return The Journal’s call.

apina@projo.com