Professor wins Democratic primary for special election

By The Associated Press

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) —A university professor has defeated a former Bristol Town Council member in the Democratic primary for a special election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

Unofficial results from the secretary of state’s office show Roger Williams University professor June Speakman beat former council member Richard Ruggiero 733-263 in the election held Tuesday.

Speakman will now run in a four-way general election against independent Rep. Kenneth Marshall, independent Jame McCanna III and Libertarian William Hunt Jr.

The election is being held to replace Democratic Rep.-elect Laufton Ascencao.

The 25-year-old Ascencao previously said he wouldn’t take his seat after acknowledging providing a fake invoice for a nonexistent campaign mailer.

The general election will take place March 5.

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