The seat in Senate District 4 has been held by just two people since 1971 (Dominick Ruggerio and his father-in-law, Rocco Quattrocchi), but that’s about the change.

Voters in North Providence (and a sliver of Providence) are heading to the polls today for the special Democratic primary to succeed Ruggerio, who died in April after a battle with cancer. 

The primary includes North Providence Council Stefano Famiglietti, former state representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, Lenny Cioe, and Manny Taveras. The winner will be a heavy favorite in the Aug. 5 general election against Republican Alexander Asermely.

Famiglietti, an attorney, has emerged as the favorite to win today’s primary, in part because he’s a sitting councilman and also because Ruggerio’s entire machine is supporting him. Famiglietti campaign is run by Charles Ruggerio, Dominick’s son.

But Ranglin-Vassell and Cioe are running spirited campaigns to the left of Famiglietti, with each making the case that the district should elect a more-progressive senator. The challenge is they are drawing from the same base.

Taveras, the brother of former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, is considered a longshot, although he has been mentioned as a potential candidate for Famiglietti’s council seat if Famiglietti wins the race.

When it comes to turnout numbers, 1,089 people had voted early (either in-person or by mail) as of Monday. That’s a larger number than the early vote in the Democratic primary between Ruggerio and Cioe last year, but today’s vote is expected to fall short of last year’s turnout.

Senate leadership isn’t likely to see any changes as a result of the Senate District 4 race, although Famiglietti is likely to align himself with the current leadership (especially Majority Leader Frank Ciccone and Whip David Tikoian). That could be worth monitoring after next year’s elections.

Polls close at 8 p.m.