Sabina Matos Faces Tight Race Amid Past Controversies

Current Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos finds herself in a neck-and-neck contest for re-election as recent polling shows her trailing Republican challenger John Loughlin by a slim margin. According to the latest 12 News/Emerson Poll, Loughlin leads with 45% over Matos’s 44%, with 12% of voters remaining undecided—reflecting a margin of error of ±3.5 points.

The tight race comes as voters weigh her record on local issues and past campaign controversies:

• The Signature Scandal: Matos’s political trajectory was severely impacted during her 2023 congressional special election bid when allegations surfaced regarding fraudulent signatures on her campaign nomination papers. The scandal led to grand jury indictments against campaign contractors involved in submitting false signatures to local canvassing boards.

• Providence City Council & “Defund the Police”: Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor, Matos served as President of the Providence City Council. Following the events of 2020, members of the council faced intense scrutiny over proposals to reallocate funding from the police department, a point that continues to be highlighted by political opponents.

Voters looking to track updates or learn more about the ongoing elections in Rhode Island can check the Rhode Island Department of State Elections Division.

Contractor reaches plea in Matos campaign fake signature scandal