Republican Mike Smith to Hold Press Conference Tuesday

NEWPORT, RI — Republican Mike Smith says he hasn't yet announced he's a candidate for the Distict 13 Senate seat. But the suspense should be over Tuesday at high noon. That's when Smith and supporters meet the press at King Park. He'll make his decision known then.

Smith came within a whisker of bouncing former state Sen. M. Theresa Paiva-Weed out of office in 2014. According to his press release, Smith collected 46 percent of the vote. It was his first run for political office and the toughest challenge Paiva-Weed ever encountered. She "spent a thumping $134,000.00 in comparison to Smith's $10,000," he also pointed out.

Smith, 49, is a Newport resident. He is married, and father of three. He owns Industry Electric, Inc., in Newport.

Technically, none of the candidates is official yet. They can't file with the Board of Canvassers in Newport and Jamestown until June 8 at the earliest. So far, four other Newporters, all Democrats, David Allard, Dawn Euer, John Florez and David Hanos have said they are running.

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