Zwolenski to face challenges for role as N.S. administrator; Council race sees full slate of candidates

NORTH SMITHFIELD – If all who declared their intent to run for office in North Smithfield this week complete the nomination process, there will be challenges for every seat on both the school board and in municipal government, with newcomers, familiar faces from the past and incumbents all registering candidacy in 2024.

Eleven names were submitted for the Town Council race, and on the School Committee, four will vie for three open seats, despite the fact that two of the current members have opted not to seek another term.

And Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski will face challenges from three contenders in his bid for a second term as town administrator.

Among those registering the intent to run for the town’s top office this week were former town council member Thomas McGee and Elizabeth Newberry, the wife of District 48 Rep. Brian Newberry. Scott Gibbs, president of the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island, also declared plans to campaign for the seat.

Of the five current members of the Town Council, only Paulette Hamilton has opted not to seek another term, with President Kimberly Alves, and Councilors Douglas Osier, Claire O’Hara and John Beauregard all declaring their intent to run. They are on track to face challenges from Ann Lilley; Rebecca DeChristofaro; Kevin Newton; Joey Sevigny; David Punchak; Michael Desrosiers and Anthony Guertin in the non-partisan race.

Neither Chairman James Lombardi or member Peg Votta submitted bids for re-election to the School Committee, with only Vice Chairperson Jean Meo seeking another term in 2024. Members William Connell and Terri Bartimioli still have time remaining in their terms.

Lombardi, who has served for the past nine years including eight as chairman, issued a statement on the decision Wednesday afternoon.

“The success of the School Committee has been a direct result of the committee working together and cooperatively with the Town Council and town administrator to put kids first,” said Lombardi. “We have a highly competent and caring superintendent, administration, teachers, and staff, which shows in our statewide test scores. We have an outstanding sports program, chorus, band a,nd extracurricular activities. Our facilities have improved substantially over the years by consolidating and closing Halliwell; expanding the elementary school; building a new turf field and throwing field; upgrading the baseball field; installing new science labs, locker rooms gym floors and windows in the high school; as well as upgrading and updating all of our school facilities.”

“It has been an honor to serve the residents of North Smithfield as a member of the School Committee, but it is now time to pass the torch to our neighbors and friends to continue the work of making sure we have an excellent public school district for our students,” he said.

Lombardi said he has not ruled out a run in the future and that he plans to remain active in the community, with plans to help good candidates to get elected.

Those who hope to step forward to fill the vacant seats – or unseat the vice chairwoman – include Christopher Simpkins, Evan Masse, Bradley Trenchard and David de la Cruz.

District 23 Sen. Jessica de la Cruz will see a challenge from Glocester resident Lewis Pryor, a Democrat, while Rep. Brian Newberry will not face a registered contest. In District 17, incumbent Republican Rep. Thomas Paolino has two Democratic challengers: Alexander Azar and Cameron Deutch. Republican Craig Lacouture will run in District 24 against incumbent Democrat Sen. Mellissa Murray. And in District 49, there are two independents who declared the intent to run in the general election this November, incumbent Rep. Jon Brien and perennial candidate Michael Disney.

Candidates must now submit signed nomination papers in order to appear on the ballot this November.

Editor’s note: The above article originally stated that there was no contest in District 23. We apologize for the error. We have also added the complete list of General Assembly races for districts in North Smithfield.