BURRILLVILLE – All of the candidates who declared their intent to run for town offices in Burrillville last month submitted signed nomination papers prior to the deadline on Friday, July 10.
Still, the number of those seeking a seat in local government fell short of the amount needed to trigger a September primary in town.
The same can be said of the General Assembly, where several incumbents representing Burrillville and North Smithfield are running uncontested, and others are on track for a two-way race in November.
Three seats on the Burrillville Town Council are up for grabs on the seven-member board, and President John Pacheco has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2020.
Council hopefuls to submit their signed nomination forms include incumbent Councilors Jeremy Bailey, a Democrat, and Raymond Trinque, a Republican; along with Republicans Justin Batalon and Michael Puyana; and Democratic contenders Mary Gauvin and Matthew Zanni.
In Burrillville, each political party is allowed up to three Town Council candidates on the November ballot.
Seats held by Councilors Dennis Anderson, Amanda Gingell, Donald Fox and Stephen Rawson, meanwhile, were secured in 2018, and are not up for reelection this year.
On the School Committee, Chairman Marc Brizard did not declare his intent to run for that non-partisan board this year. Committee members Dorothy Cardon and Sean Bouzan, who’s terms are also coming to an end, have submitted signed forms to the Board of Canvassers.
Victor Bevilacqua also submitted his signed forms, putting him on track to grab the seat left open by Brizard’s departure.
Vice Chairman Donison Allen, Clerk Sylvia St. Pierre, and members Terri Lacey and Alexandra LeClaire are just two years in to their four year terms, and not up for reelection in 2020.
In the General Assembly, District 48 Rep. Brian Newberry and District 47 Rep. David Place, both Republicans, along with District 24 Sen. Melissa Murray, a Democrat, are all running unopposed.
In November, first-term Republican incumbent Sen. Jessica de la Cruz will face off against Democrat Paul Roselli, with both submitting signed forms for District 23, which covers portions of North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester.
In Senate District 17, which covers portions of North Smithfield, Lincoln and North Providence, Republican incumbent Thomas Paolino faces a challenge from Democrat John Douglas.
NRI NOW is offering all local candidates the opportunity to discuss their background and platform. Those interest should send biographic information to [email protected].