2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of Rhode Island, apportioned according to the 2010 United States census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on September 11, 2012.

Overview United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island, 2012 PartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats after+/– Democratic 232,679 54.39% 2 2 - Republican 161,926 37.85% 0 0 - Independent 32,716 7.65% - Write-In 454 0.11% - Totals 427,775 100% 2 2 -

District 1

The redrawn 1st district represents Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Jamestown, Lincoln, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Tiverton, Warren, Woonsocket, and parts of Providence.

Democrat David Cicilline, who had represented the 1st district since January 2011, ran for re-election.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee David Cicilline, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary Anthony Gemma, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2010 Christopher Young, electrical engineer

Declined Bill Lynch, former chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Committee Patrick Lynch, former Attorney General of Rhode Island Dan McKee, mayor of Cumberland David Segal, former state representative Merrill Sherman, president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Rhode Island

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DavidCicilline AnthonyGemma UndecidedWPRI/Fleming & Associates May 8–12, 2012 302 ± 5.7% 40% 36% 20%

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Brendan Doherty, colonel and the retired superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police

Declined John Loughlin, former state representative and nominee for this seat in 2010

General election Endorsements

Debates + 2012 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district debates Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Republican IndependentKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn David Cicilline Brendan Doherty David Vogel1 Oct. 17, 2012 WPRI Tim WhiteYouTubeYouTube 2 Nov. 1, 2012 American Democracy Project Rhode Island College ChapterWJAR-TV Bill RappleyeC-SPAN

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror DavidCicilline (D) BrendanDoherty (R) DavidVogel (I) UndecidedWPRI/Fleming & Assoc. October 24–27, 2012 300 (LV) ± 5.7% 43% 42% 6% 8%OnMessage, Inc.OnMessage, Inc. October 24–25, 2012 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 39% 45% 6% 10%Brown UniversityBrown University September 26–October 5, 2012 236 (LV) ± 6.3% 46% 40% 7% 7%WPRI/Fleming & Assoc.WPRI/Fleming & Assoc. September 26–29, 2012 501 (LV) ± 6.2% 44% 38% 6% 10%Feldman (D-Cicilline)Feldman (D-Cicilline) September 13–17, 2012 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 46% 36% 7% 11%Benenson (D-DCCC)Benenson (D-DCCC) September 13–16, 2012 400 (LV) ± 4.9% 46% 45% 8% 11%DCCC (D)DCCC (D) September 10, 2012 578 (LV) ± 5.6% 49% 43% — 8%WPRI/Fleming & Assoc.WPRI/Fleming & Assoc. February 20–23, 2012 250 (RV) ± 6.2% 33% 49% — 16%WPRI/Fleming & Assoc. May 13–15, 2011 300 (RV) ± 5.7% 33% 46% — 20%

Poll source Date(s)administered AnthonyGemma (D) BrendanDoherty (R) Other UndecidedWPRI/Fleming & Assoc.WPRI/Fleming & Assoc. February 20–23, 2012 250 ± 6.2% 28% 41% 4% 27%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 2

The redrawn 2nd district will represent Burrillville, Charlestown, Coventry, Cranston, East Greenwich, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Hopkinton, Johnston, Narragansett, New Shoreham, North Kingstown, Richmond, Scituate, South Kingstown, Warwick, West Greenwich, West Warwick, Westerly, and parts of Providence.

Democrat James Langevin, who had represented Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district since 2001, ran for re-election.

Abel Collins, an environmental activist, mounted an independent campaign in the general election.electabel2012.com

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee James Langevin, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary John Matson, carpenter and perennial candidate

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Michael Riley, hedge fund manager

Eliminated in primary Michael Gardiner, attorney and candidate for this seat in 2010 Donald Rubbio Kara Russo

Primary results

General election Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JimLangevin (D) MichaelRiley (R) Abel Collins (I) UndecidedWPRI/Fleming & Assoc. October 24–27, 2012 300 ± 5.7% 48% 31% 9% 10%Aqua Opinion and Policy Research GroupAqua Opinion and Policy Research Group October 5–11, 2012 536 ± 4.2% 48% 22% 17% 13%Brown University September 26–October 5, 2012 235 (LV) ± 6.3% 49% 32% 5% 14%WPRI 12WPRI 12 September 26–29, 2012 251 ± 6.2% 53% 29% 10% 8%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

References

External links Rhode Island Board of Elections United States House of Representatives elections in Rhode Island, 2012 at Ballotpedia Rhode Island U.S. House from OurCampaigns.com Campaign contributions for Rhode Island congressional races from OpenSecrets Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation