Paiva Weed Prevails in Tough Campaign Against Mike Smith

Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed held on to her seat after a tough challenge from Republican Mike Smith in a race that some thought could have resulted in the ouster of the 12-term lawmaker.

Paiva Weed garnered 4,714 votes, or 54.6 percent compared to Smith’s 3,894 votes, or 45.1 percent.

Twenty-one voters submitted a write-in candidate.

Many were watching the race closely after Paiva Weed was considered under threat for her support of Question 1 to allow table games at Newport Grand and role in the language of the question on the ballot, which many Newporters felt could have offered a sweeter deal to the city and took issue with how the deal was hammered out in the wee hours of a late-night legislative session.

But Paiva Weed came out against table games in September, saying she couldn’t support the measure in the wake of the Newport City Council’s 4-3 vote to reject a host community agreement with the developers.

There has been speculation that the defeat of incumbent Newport Rep. Peter Martin in the Sept. 9 primary was due in part to his opponent Lauren Carson’s strong anti-casino message during her campaign.

This story will likely be updated after mail ballots are counted and candidates react to the results.