EAST PROVIDENCE — The first day of filing for the 2014 election cycle in East Providence Monday, June 23, was a busy one as current office holders and other aspirants submitted the necessary paperwork.
State Representatives Katherine Kazarian and Helio Melo were the first and second persons to drop off their forms at the canvassing office in City Hall. Rep. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63) is seeking a second term on Smith Hill while the veteran East Providence pol and former House Committee on Finance chair Rep. Melo (D-Dist. 64) is running for a sixth term.
In the race for State Senate, Billy Conley formally submitted his forms for re-election to the split District 18 seat of East Providence and Pawtucket. Sen. Conley is seeking a second term in the upper chamber.
Candace Seel, who unsuccessfully challenged Tommy Rose for the Ward 3 City Council seat in 2012, is once again seeking to unseat the incumbent in 2014. Mrs. Seel issued a formal press release Monday stating her intentions. Mr. Rose, likewise, submitted his forms as he seeks a third term in office. (See Mrs. Seel’s full release here…)
Former School Committee Chairman Charlie Tsonos, who opted to enter the race for the then vacant District 63 House seat in 2012 rather than seek re-election, has announced his intention to reclaim the Ward 1 seat on the board. The incumbent from Ward 1 is Elizabeth Clupny. (See Mr. Tsonos’ full release here…)
In addition to Mrs. Seel and Mr. Rose, Helder Cunha filed to run for a second term on the City Council from Ward 2. The then relatively unknown Mr. Cunha pulled off the stunner of the 2012 cycle, handily beating incumbent and Council president Bruce Rogers for the center-city seat.
Among the other incumbents to file Monday were Tony Ferreira, running for a second term on the School Committee from Ward 2, and Tracy Capobianco, seeking a second term as the At-Large representative on the City Council.
The above is only a partial list of filings for Monday. The filing period continues Tuesday, June 24, through Wednesday afternoon, June 25.