PROVIDENCE, R.I., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Providence, R.I., Mayor David Cicilline has won the state's Democratic primary to fill the House seat vacated by Patrick Kennedy, returns show.
With 172 of 222 precincts reporting, Cicilline had 37 percent of the votes to 21 percent for his closest challenger, consumer rights attorney David Segal, WLNE-TV, Providence, reported.
Cicilline's Republican opponent for the House seat -- which has been occupied by a Democrat for all but six years since 1941 -- will be state Rep. John Loughlin II, who defeated Kara Russo.
In the gubernatorial primary, Republican John Robitaille is the GOP winner with 70 percent over Victor Moffet's 30 percent.
Robitaille will face Rhode Island Treasurer Frank Caprio, running unopposed in the Democratic primary, WLNE reported.
Healthcare has been a lightning rod issue in the race, with Caprio saying he would carry out the provisions of the healthcare reform legislation enacted this year and Robitaille saying he would resist it as unconstitutional.
