Rhode Island 2010 Election Results

Rhode Island held its general election on November 2, 2010, deciding 113 legislative seats and 5 statewide offices led by the governorship. No chamber changed party control.

Highlights

• An independent took the governorship from Republicans, while Democrats kept lopsided majorities in both chambers even as Republicans gained seats.
• With Republican Gov. Don Carcieri term-limited, Lincoln Chafee (I), a former Republican U.S. senator, beat John Robitaille (R) by about 2.5 points to become the first independent to win a Rhode Island governor's race. General Treasurer Frank T. Caprio (D) finished third; when President Obama stayed neutral, Caprio said Obama could take his endorsement and shove it. Moderate Party candidate Ken Block (MOD) drew about 6.5%.
• Democrats held the rest of the statewide offices. Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis (D) survived Catherine Terry Taylor (R) by about 1 point, Peter Kilmartin (D) won the open attorney general's office in a five-way race, Gina Raimondo (D) won the open treasurer's office by about 24 points, and Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts (D) was re-elected.
• The Senate went from 33-4-1 to 29-8-1 (Democrats, Republicans, and one independent) and the House from 69-6 to 65-10. All 8 legislative seats that changed party went Republican, and 4 Democratic incumbents lost:
  • Christopher Scott Ottiano (R) beat Sen. Charles J. Levesque (D) in Senate District 11.
  • Mike Chippendale (R) beat Scott M. Pollard (D) in House District 40.
  • Doreen Marie Costa (R) beat Kenneth Carter (D) in House District 31.
  • Daniel Patrick Reilly (R) beat Amy G. Rice (D) in House District 72.
  Republicans also took three open Senate seats, doubling their Senate caucus, and Patricia Morgan (R) won the open House District 26 by 90 votes. Beyond the flips, the closest finish came in the open House District 29, where Lisa P. Tomasso (D) beat Gregory C. Coutcher (R) by 8 votes.
• Voters approved all 3 bond questions, for higher education facilities, transportation, and open space and recreation. By more than three to one, they rejected Question 1, which would have dropped "and Providence Plantations" from the state's formal name.

Legislature

• House (75 seats): 69 D, 6 R before the election, 65 D, 10 R after; control stayed with Democrats.
• Senate (38 seats): 33 D, 4 R, 1 other or vacant before the election, 29 D, 8 R, 1 other or vacant after; control stayed with Democrats.

Statewide races

Legislative races

Ballot measures