In last week’s state primaries, New Hampshire and Rhode Island voters resoundingly backed the openly LGBTQ candidates on the ballot.
In New Hampshire, US Congressman Chris Papas advanced to the General Election on Nov. 5. In 2019, Pappas became the first openly LGBTQ person from the Granite State elected to Congress. Currently, he cochairs the US Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.
Emmett Soldati (D, District 1), also moves to the General Election in his bid for the state’s Executive Council. The Granite State’s five-person council operates as a check on the governor, holding veto power over contracts, pardons and nominations—including judicial nominations.
Incumbent Granite State Senators Dan Innis (R, District 7) and Rebecca Perkins Kwonka (D, District 21) also advance to the Nov. 5 ballot. In 2020, Perkins Kwoka became the first LGBTQ woman to serve in the Granite State Senate.
And incumbent Granite State Reps Jim MacKay (D, District 18 Merrimack), Alissandra Murray (D, District 20 Hillsborough), James Roesener (D, District 22 Merrimack) and Linda Tanner (D, District 5) also move on to the Nov. 5 General Election.
In Rhode Island, incumbent State Senators Sam Bell (D, District 5) and Tiara Mack (D, District 6) both won their primaries and advance to the Nov. 5 General Election.
And incumbent Ocean State Reps Rebecca Kislak (D, District 4) and Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D, District 23) won their bids for the Nov. 5 General Election. Challenger Giona Picheco (D, District 14), who would have been one of the first openly transgender state legislators in Rhode Island, came up short in the primary.
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