Rhode Island voters choose U.S. Senate candidates in primaries

Rhode Island's state primaries are set for Tuesday, where voters will select candidates for various offices, including the U.S. Senate. Polls will close at 8 p.m., and the Associated Press will provide updates on the results. The primaries are particularly notable for the Democratic Senate race, where incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse is challenged by Mike Costa, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate. Costa has loaned his campaign $200,000 and invested over $50,000 in advertising, indicating a serious effort to unseat Whitehouse, who is seeking a fourth term. In addition to the Senate race, several cities in Rhode Island will hold mayoral elections, and primaries for General Assembly seats will also take place. Voter participation is limited to registered party members, which may influence turnout and results. The previous presidential primary saw a low turnout of 2% among Republicans, while 24% of votes were cast before Election Day. As of September 5, approximately 15,165 ballots had been cast, with a significant majority in the Democratic primary. The Associated Press will declare winners only when it is clear that no trailing candidates can close the gap, and recounts may be requested in close races. With about 775,000 registered voters in the state, the primaries are expected to shape the political landscape leading into the fall elections. The results will be closely watched as they may reflect broader trends in voter sentiment and party dynamics in Rhode Island.