2020 Primary Election

Upset wins by Mendes, Henries in East Providence are certified

Progressives defeat Conley, Serodio, respectively, for state senate, house seats

By Mike Rego
Posted 9/10/20

EAST PROVIDENCE — Leaders resoundingly at the conclusion of in-person voting at the September 8 Primary Election, the upset victories by progressive Democratic newcomers Cynthia Mendes and …

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2020 Primary Election

Upset wins by Mendes, Henries in East Providence are certified

Progressives defeat Conley, Serodio, respectively, for state senate, house seats

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Leaders resoundingly at the conclusion of in-person voting at the September 8 Primary Election, the upset victories by progressive Democratic newcomers Cynthia Mendes and Brianna Henries over their respective opponents Bill Conley and Joe Serodio were only amplified following the tallying of mail-in ballots late Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10, by the State Board of Elections.

Ms. Mendes held a 763-335 (69.5%-30.5%) advantage over incumbent Mr. Conley in their race for State Senate District 18 at the end of Tuesday night.

By Thursday, with nearly 1,300 mail ballots totaled, her final margin of victory was certified at a still impressive count of 1,716-1,073 (61.5%-38.5%) over the four-term Senator and chairman of its powerful Finance Committee. Ms. Mendes defeated Mr. Conley by mail, 714-596.

Ms. Henries’ edge was 336-193 (63.5%-36.5%) when polling stations closed last Tuesday.

Again, when certified Thursday afternoon with some 550 mail-ins added to their respective totals, she wound up with a still one-sided 721-452 (61.5%-38.5%) win over the freshman rep. Ms. Henries also won the mail balloting, 323-222.

Ms. Mendes and Ms. Henries are both members of Rhode Island Political Collaborative, which ran 17 candidates combined for the House and Senate and seven others in municipal races.

The group’s platform includes among other things support of a single-payer healthcare system, a $15 minimum wage, more and fairer affordable housing, education reform, “common sense” gun control measures, criminal justice reform and the environmentally based “Green New Deal.”

View the complete results here...

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.