Politics & Government
Petrarca, Costantino Trade Barbs
Incumbent Rep. Peter Petrarca (D-Dist. 44) and primary challenger Gregory Costantino accused each other of benefiting from the state.
In the opening round of what could be a very contentious Democratic primary for the state House of Representatives District 44 seat, incumbent Rep. Peter Petrarca and challenger Gregory Costantino this week made an issue of benefits each said the other has received from the state.
The Providence Journal reported yesterday that Costantino accused Petrarca of supporting bills that benefited his family, which runs an auto body business in Providence.
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Later in the day, the Journal quoted Petrarca as saying he "abstained from every single vote" on legislation dealing with auto body businesses.
Petrarca also told the Journal that Costantino's family has been helped by the state's approval of a medical marijuana dispensary license for a building it owns. Costantino's brother, Steven, is the state Secretary of Health and Human Services, the newspaper noted.
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District 44 covers Johnston, Smithfield, and Lincoln.
This year's primary is scheduled for Sept. 11.
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