A couple of interested observers to last week's results from the 2026 election were two local incumbents who represent Warren in the General Assembly and ran unopposed this cycle, State Senator Walter Felag and State Representative June Speakman.

For Felag (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), it marked the 25th consecutive race he won, either with or without opposition. Felag first entered electoral politics in 1978, serving 10 terms on the Warren Town Council before being elected in 1998 to the state's upper chamber, where he has remained through now 15 cycles.

"It's nice to run unopposed. I mean, obviously, I still go around to various events, and still try to meet a lot of people, and take people's comments very seriously. And then also address their concerns. And that's what I've done ever since I got first elected," Felag said last Tuesday night, Nov. 3, at the Democratic Party gathering held at the Porta Via Pizzeria in town on Main Street.

While on the trail this fall, Felag said he received an array of comments about the issues that matter most to his constituents at the moment.

"The biggest thing is, obviously, the economy. The economy is what drives everything, and the price of gasoline, which we (the state legislature) really don't have an overall control over it. It's more of a federal issue, but it trickles down into the town level, in the state level, where we have to be a little bit more austere in our budget, in terms of budgeting, so that we help individuals," Felag said.

When his current term ends, it will mark 50 years in a row Felag will have been in public office. Asked if the same passion and drive to serve, he said, "Oh, most definitely. I mean, every year brings down a new challenge, and I feel up for it. I try to keep myself in good shape walking around and being able to address any health concerns. And then from there, it's a question of being able to get to the state house and do the people's business, which I believe I done."

As for Speakman, the Democrat ran sans an opponent for the first time in her political career, which included a previous spell on the Barrington Town Council before she moved into Warren and first took up the House seat representing District 68, including parts of Bristol besides here.

Four times previous, Speakman had a competitive District 68 race, beginning with a special election in 2019 and three other generals prior to this cycle.

"I am grateful to the voters for their support," said Speakman, who added about her efforts this fall, "I was still out there helping other Democrats hopefully win their races."

Of running unopposed, Speakman, a professor of Political Science at Roger Williams University, continued, "I do not like the feeling of not having an opponent. I think it's important for accountability purposes, and for me to have an opponent. The voter should have a choice. It was nice to have a relaxing summer and fall, but, still, given the controversial issues in our communities, it would have been nice to have a robust discussion of the issues."

Speakman, too, engaged voters on the trail this fall, echoing the thoughts they shared with Felag.

"Affordability in housing, energy, insurance and health care. We have to address all of these," Speakman said. "I and my colleagues will be working on legislation to bring prices down in all these sectors."