PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s House Majority Leader John DeSimone is running a write-in campaign for re-election after losing the Democratic primary.
The Providence Democrat held a news conference Wednesday to announce his campaign to keep the seat he’s held for 24 years.
“I believe that out of state money manipulated the voters of my district. They spread false claims, came into my district and distorted the election results,” DeSimone told reporters Wednesday.
DeSimone lost the primary by 21 votes to Providence teacher Marcia Ranglin-Vassell. A recount after the Sept. 13 primary confirmed her win.
Ranglin-Vassell and Republican candidate Roland Lavallee will be the only names on the ballot in the November 8 election.
“I ran for State Representative because for too long we’ve had politicians who only help themselves and their well connected friends,” said Ranglin-Wassell. “I believe we need a government that actually fights for all of us. The voters spoke in September and made it clear they want change. I’m disappointed that John is ignoring their will but I will run my campaign on the issues that defined the primary: the need to raise our minimum wage to $15 an hour so families can provide for themselves, the need for ethical oversight of our government to fight corruption and restore trust, and the need to implement commonsense gun reform to help make our streets safe and to protect our children. My volunteers and I are out in the community working hard and I am confident that in November, voters make it clear once again that they want ethical and compassionate government.”
Also running a write-in campaign is longtime Warren state Rep. Jan Malik, who lost his Democratic primary to challenger Jason Knight, a Barrington attorney. Knight and Ranglin-Vassell both ran to the left of the incumbents.
