Cano captures primary for open RI Senate seat
PAWTUCKET – The popularity of Sandra C. Cano was once again affirmed on Tuesday, as the current At-Large City Councilor ran away with a victory in the District 8 State Senate Democratic primary, besting her nearest foe by more than 500 votes, according to unofficial figures from the Pawtucket Board of Canvassers.
Cano – who previously finished as the top vote-getter when she ran for Pawtucket School Committee in the 2012 primary and again in At-Large Council primaries and general elections in both 2014 and 2016 – netted 869 votes, while her opponents Matthew J. Fecteau and David F. Norton received 352 and 212 respectively, according to the unofficial numbers.
“This is only the beginning of the race,” Cano said from her campaign’s results watch party at Spumoni’s on Newport Avenue. “We worked hard, people spoke out, we were out there. We love Pawtucket, I love Pawtucket, and we are going to work hard for Pawtucket.”
The only time Cano has run for office and not received the most votes in her respective race was in the 2012 general election, as she finished 871 votes behind Michael A. Araujo in that year’s School Committee race.
Cano was joined by Fecteau at Spumoni’s. Although he came up short in his pursuit of the Democrat- ic nomination for District 8 – he also fell short of unseating incumbent State Sen. James E. Doyle II in a 2016 primary – Fecteau was happy for his colleague and fellow Democrat.
“Regardless of who won, Pawtucket was in a far more advantageous position at the end of the day,” Fecteau said, later adding that he fully endorses Cano as she enters the next round of the election cycle – the general election.
“It is an absolute honor that she’s nominated. I’m proud to be a resident of Pawtucket, proud she’s a nominee, moving Pawtucket in a positive direction…” Fecteau said. “Regardless of our differences, we work together to build a better Pawtucket for the next generation. With an amazing person like Sandra Cano, we are going to do it.”
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio called Cano a “tremendous candidate” who has all the makings
of “a great senator.”
“Sandra did a lot of walking and visiting homes, the results show that,” Ruggerio said, before turning to Cano and telling her: “This is your night.”
Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien said the Democratic primary was a particularly tough fight, especially on social media where barbs were traded. —But he said Cano’s overwhelming vic-tory showcases the credibility she has ras a candidate. r “Sandra works hard, we all did it the old fashioned way, we’re on the doors, talking about how important the PawSox are, the issue with the hospidtal, it all comes down to people who dcare and understand the community,” Grebien said, calling Cano a “great leader.”
“This is not over…” Cano told her fans and family inside Spumoni’s. “We have an election April 3 and we need to get more (votes). We’re moving Pawtucket forward, I’m looking forward to next round of this.”
On the Republican side of the primary, Pawtucket Republican City Committee Chairman Nathan T. Luciano topped challenger and City of Pawtucket Highway Supervisor Richard R. Karsulavitch, 77 votes to 47, according to the unofficial tally from the Board of Canvassers.
It was a rare GOP primary in Pawtucket, the first time Republicans had to go to the polls to select a primary winner in more than 50 years. Tuesday’s primary was also the first time either Republican candidate sought public office in Pawtucket.
Luciano said his race against Karsulavitch was “close but exciting” and now he’s ready to turn his attention to the special election against Cano.
“I learned a ton and now I’m very much looking forward to the general election where I can continue to get my message out and reach District 8 voters,” Luciano said from the Board of Canvassers Office on Tuesday night.
With their primary victories, Cano and Luciano will next face off in a special election on April 3. The winner of that election will then become the state senator for the Pawtucket district, which has been vacant since Doyle’s sudden resignation last month. it or because they have trouble getting to the pharmacy.”
Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln) is a co-sponsor of the measure, which was held for further study after a hearing before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 15.