Challenge unaccepted: The real reasons most state lawmakers are running unopposed

By: Matt Ulricksen

Outlets: Rhode Island Current

Published: July 10, 2026

Words: 838

Last Updated: 1 week, 5 days ago

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When Rhode Island’s candidate filing deadline passed last month, nearly two-thirds of incumbent state legislators had drawn no opponents. Of 75 House seats, only 32 face a contest; in the Senate, it’s just 13 of 38. This isn’t a fluke, and it isn’t just a Rhode Island story.

Ballotpedia’s national tracking found that 34.8% of state legislative incumbents nationally ran unopposed in the 2024 general election, in line with the 35% average since …

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