After nearly a two day wait, the final election results are in from the Rhode Island Board of Elections.  The complete election results can be found on the bottom of the article. Here are some highlights:

Middletown Town Council, More than Half the Seats Change

There will be four new faces on the seven member council.  

Three councilors were not re-elected, including Council President Arthur Weber as well as Councilors Antone Viveiros and Edward Silveira.  Richard Cambra did not run for re-election.

Voters re-elected Bruce Long, Christopher Semonelli and Barbara Vonvillas for the two year term.   Former council members Theresa Santos,  Robert Sylvia, and Paul Rodrigues, a former council president, also won seats, along with Richard Adams, who serves on the Planning Board.

“I am very proud of this council and all that was accomplished,” said Former President Weber.  “Our closing effort was also excellent with a great choice to fill the school committee vacancy, approval of the charter changes and approval of the bond for the new Middletown Fire Station and Department of Public Works.”

Challenger Paul Rodrigues was the highest vote-getter of the local election.  

Weber said the new council menu is to “press on!”  He added that he will support and help with future projects as needed.

There have not been formal discussions about who will serve as the next council president.

“I look forward to working cooperatively with the new council and the administration to promote the vision as well as to ensure the stability and civility of the past two years,” said incumbent council member Vonvillas.

“It's an honor to be voted in again,” said Councilor Chris Semonelli.   He said one of the biggest challenges the council will face in the future is the budget.

Semoneli reflected on the previous council: “I have found it an honor to have been on the council for the last two terms," he said.  "I have worked with a talented group of both councilors and administration.”

After Tight Race, Linda Finn Beats Incumbent Daniel Reilly in District 72

The race for a seat in the State House of Representatives was closely watched after the polls closed and challenger Linda Finn led incumbent Daniel Reilly by only 87 votes.  With the absentee ballots, Finn beat Reilly by 96 votes.

"I would like to thank Dan Reilly for running a great campaign. Our race was civil and stuck to the issues," said Finn. She added as a first time candidate, she enjoyed meeting so many Middletown and Portsmouth residents.
 
"In an election year in which the opposing party was heavily favored, it was a competitive election and unfortunately I came just shy of winning," said Reilly."I would like to thank my opponent for running a civil race and wish her all the best at the State House," he said.

Final Results (including absentee ballots)

TOWN COUNCIL TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN 7 to elect

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 72

SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 12

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 73

REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 74

NON-PARTISAN SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN 2 to elect

QUESTION 8 - TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

QUESTION 9 - TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

QUESTION 10 - TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

QUESTION 11 - TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

QUESTION 12 - TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN

QUESTION 13 - TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN