Rhode Island
A Democrat Crosses the Aisle: Lincoln Rep. Gregory Costantino Spends $2,687 on a Letter Backing Republican Paul Santucci, Warning of the “Progressive Wing” and “Political Powerbrokers in Providence”
What happened
State Rep. Gregory Costantino of Lincoln, whom Ocean State Media’s Ian Donnis describes as “a conservative Democrat,” sent a letter on his letterhead backing Republican Rep. Paul Santucci of Smithfield over Democratic challenger Suzy Alba in House District 53 (Smithfield and Glocester). Donnis obtained the letter. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“I do not ordinarily get involved in elections outside my district,” Costantino wrote, as quoted by Ocean State Media. “But I believe Smithfield and Glocester are at a crossroads, and this election is too important to remain silent.” He went on: “I am deeply concerned about Rhode Island’s direction under the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and the influence of leadership and political powerbrokers in Providence. Tax increases, high-density housing policies, and green energy mandates that put additional pressure on electricity costs raise serious questions about affordability, local control and our communities’ future.”
The filing
Costantino reported the letter to the state. A Board of Elections form CF-8 (“Report of Covered Disbursements for Independent Expenditures, Electioneering Communications or Covered Transfers”), time-stamped by the board Oct. 30 at 9:35 a.m., has the “Independent Expenditure” box checked. It names “Rep Gregory Costantino” of Lincoln as the independent spender and Lisa Costantino as the person filing on his behalf. It lists one candidate referenced, “Rep Paul Santucci,” marked “Support.”
The form reports one disbursement: $2,686.80 on Oct. 27, 2026, to Express Printing, described as an “Endorsement letter.” The donations section is blank. In the affirmation, signed and notarized Oct. 29, Lisa Costantino swears that “no covered disbursement contained herein is coordinated with any candidate, authorized candidate committee or political party committee.”
The race
Santucci, a financial advisor and former Smithfield Town Council president, won the seat in 2024 and is finishing his first term. Alba spent 10 years on the Smithfield Town Council, four of them as president, and works as director of civic education for Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Ocean State Media reports, adding that her supporters include U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. She lists her priorities as: “I want (the) cost of living to be more affordable, stronger schools for our kids, and a state government that represents the people who elected it.”
The two legislators have worked together before. General Assembly records show Santucci co-sponsored several of Costantino’s 2026 bills (H8278 through H8281). In a Valley Breeze candidate profile, Santucci credited his delegation colleagues, Sen. David Tikoian and Rep. Gregory Costantino, for their work on road repairs. In the same profile, Santucci called Alba “a genuinely nice person,” and Alba said she does not believe in always voting along party lines.
Original reporting
The Valley Breeze — Santucci, Alba face off for House District 53 seat
LegiPlex — RI H8278 (2026) sponsors: Costantino (primary), Santucci (co-sponsor)
Virtue Forge commentary
In a General Assembly where one party has held supermajorities for generations, crossing party lines is rare. That makes it worth noticing when a sitting Democrat pays to tell voters in a neighboring district to re-elect a Republican, and says why in plain words: the “progressive wing,” “leadership,” and “political powerbrokers in Providence.” Costantino put his on letterhead and reported the cost to the Board of Elections, down to the cent.
That disclosure is how this is supposed to work. Voters can see who paid, how much, and for which candidate, and they can judge the message for themselves. Party loyalty is not a civic virtue in itself. Representing your constituents and saying openly where you stand is. Whatever one thinks of Santucci or Alba, a letter that names its author, its sponsor, and its reasons respects voters more than an anonymous mailer does.
What to watch
• The District 53 result on Nov. 3.
• Any response from Alba, Santucci, or House Democratic leadership to the letter.
• Whether Costantino, who faces his own voters in District 44, files further independent-expenditure reports, and whether any amended CF-8 shows the funding source.