UPDATE: Mattiello wins re-election against Republican challenger Steven Frias

November 9, 2016 11:01 am

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

The race for the District 15 seat has concluded Thursday evening, after counted mail-in ballots confirmed House Speaker Mattiello beat Republican challenger Steven Frias by 65 votes.

"I would like to thank the voters of District 15 in Cranston from the bottom of my heart," said House Speaker Nick Mattiello.

Frias, however, is not accepting defeat just yet, and plans on challenging the results. He has filed a complaint with the Rhode Island Board of Elections and would like to see a recount performed.

Incumbent candidate Speaker Nick Mattiello fell behind his Republican challenger Steven Frias in the polls as of Tuesday night. Frias led by 147 votes, but Speaker Mattiello claimed victory, saying there were still 800 plus mail-in ballots to count and he is confident at least 300 will be for him.

Mattiello was confident enough that he held a victory speech in front of nearly 100 supporters Tuesday night.

Rhode Island GOP Chairman Brandon Bell called out Mattiello on his declaration, saying it was too soon to declare victory.

Frias himself said he would investigate those mail-in ballots for any evidence of manipulation. He called it “odd” that Mattiello claimed he will win with mail-in ballots despite being behind in the polls.