Johnston Dems Open HQ

At a well-attended ceremony last week, the Johnston Democratic Town Committee formally opened its headquarters at 1500 Atwood Ave. and announced its slate of endorsed candidates.

U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. James Langevin were among the Democratic candidates and supporters who attended the grand opening of the committee office, the Johnston Sun Rise reported.

Mayor Joseph Polisena will again lead the Democratic slate, earning the endorsement of the committee in .

In the Johnston Town Council races, Councilman David Santilli in Ward 3 and Council Vice President Stephanie Manzi in Ward 5 are running unopposed.

In Ward 1, the committee endorsed Councilwoman Eileen Fuoco over fellow Democrats Edward Cardillo and Paul Crowell III.

The Town Committee endorsed Planning Board Chairman Anthony Verardo for the Ward 2 seat left vacant by Councilman . Democrats Joseph Comella and Independent Melvin Steppo Jr. also filed to run.

Council President Robert V. Russo, running in Ward 4, received the party endorsement in his race against Republican Robert Matteo and Independent Arnold Smith.

After Johnston received part of Dist. 22 after this year's redistricting process, the committee endorsed Stephen Archambault in the race against Republicans David Bibeault and Richard Poirier.

Incumbent Sen. Frank Lombardo III earned the party nod in his race against two potential Democratic challengers, Nicole Acciardo and William Murphy, in Dist. 25.

Committee members endorsed incumbent Rep. Deborah Fellela in the state House of Representatives Dist. 43 race against potential primary challenger Annette Berarducci and two Independents, Karin Gorman and Nicole Lyons.

Incumbent Rep. Peter Petrarca (Dist. 44) also earned the committee's support over fellow Democrat Gregory Costantino, Republican James Archer, and Independent James D'Ambra.

Reps. John Carnevale (Dist. 13) and Stephen Ucci (Dist. 42) are running unopposed, as are the two Democratic candidates for Johnston School Committee, Robert LaFazia in Dist. 1 and Joseph Rotella in Dist. 4.

Today is the last day for to the Johnston Board of Canvassers; the Secretary of State's office requires valid signatures to be certified by July 19 for candidates to earn a spot on this year's primary and election ballots.