Few surprises emerged from Tuesday's primaries as frontrunners and incumbents claimed victories in races to choose the party nominees that will face off in the November general election.
In the race for Providence mayor, Angel Taveras, a former Providence Housing Court judge, defeated state Rep. Steven Costantino, D-Providence, City Councilman John Lombardi and local political fixture Chris Young to become the favorite to win the general election contest.
Mayor David Cicilline '83 took the Democratic nomination in the first congressional district, cruising by competitors Anthony Gemma, David Segal and Bill Lynch to attain frontrunner status in the race to replace retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I. Cicilline, the openly gay mayor of Providence, has drawn support from gay rights groups and would be the fourth member of Congress to identify as gay if elected.
Cicilline will face Republican John Loughlin in November. Loughlin easily defeated Kara Russo, also an unsuccessful candidate for Rhode Island lieutenant governor and the campaign manager and fiancee of mayoral candidate Chris Young.
Unopposed Democrat Frank Caprio took the Democratic nomination for governor, a victory ensured when Attorney General Patrick Lynch '87 withdrew from the race in July. Caprio faces Republican John Robitaille, a former communications adviser to Gov. Donald Carcieri '65.
In the second congressional district, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., soundly defeated primary challengers Betsy Dennigan and Ernie Greco. Businessman Mark Zaccaria earned the Republican nomination in the second district, outpacing three challengers to become the GOP's choice to oppose Langevin.