David Caprio
Encyclopedia
David A. Caprio is an American attorney and Rhode Island State Representative from District 34. He was first elected on December 21, 1999. Caprio represents portions of South Kingstown and Narragansett. He is the son of Joyce and the Chief of the Providence Municipal Court Judge Frank Caprio
and the brother of former Rhode Island State Treasurer Frank T. Caprio
.
, graduating in 1985. He then went on to Boston College
, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1989. He holds degrees from Suffolk University Law School
(a J.D.) and the University of Southern Europe (an MBA).
Local Headlines
Tanzi brings Caprio reign to an end
By Iain Wilson/Independent Staff Writer
NARRAGANSETT - On a Primary Day that saw several upsets, none was more shocking than newcomer Teresa Tanzi's victory over House Judiciary Committee Chairman David Caprio of Narragansett. The rookie politician trumped incumbent Caprio Tuesday night in the District 34 Democratic primary, ending his 11-year reign in Narragansett and South Kingstown.
Tanzi, a Wakefield resident, carried all three polling precincts, winning by a total of 1,333 to Caprio's 975. At the Narragansett Community Center, considered a Caprio stronghold, Tanzi won by a total of 791 votes to 726 after absentee ballots were counted.
At South Kingstown High School, Tanzi captured 72.4 percent of the votes, finishing with 307. Caprio received 117 votes, or 27.6 percent. Results were closer at the Forest Fire Station on Holley Street, with Tanzi receiving 235 votes and Caprio receiving 132.
Both candidates spent Tuesday afternoon and evening at the community center on Mumford Road looking to garner votes as the clock ticked toward 9 p.m.
"What it comes down to, we had a broad base of support," Tanzi said immediately after learning of her victory at Kabuki restaurant in Wakefield, where she celebrated with dozens of friends and family, including her 4-year-old daughter, Delia. Her followers erupted the moment results came in, adding to an already buzzing atmosphere.
"We did this from the ground up, and what spurred us on is just the day-to-day support of people who said, 'Thank you for bringing up the issues,' " Tanzi said.
Caprio waited at the community center for results to come in and called to congratulate Tanzi almost immediately after results were tallied.
"It was an absolute honor to serve the people of South County," he said. "I wish Teresa well in representing our people in the State House."
Tanzi thanked her campaign manager, Libby Kimzey, and residents of the district. "This has been such a broad campaign, with so much support throughout the entire community," she said.
Caprio was elected in 1999 to fill the unexpired term of James Kelso after his death, in what was then House District 47. As Tanzi's campaign evolved, it became clear that she would present Caprio's stiffest challenge since defeating Democrat George Lenihan Jr. in a primary in 2002. In 2000, 2004 and 2006 Caprio ran unopposed, and in the last election, he handily defeated University of Rhode Island
student Ryan Drugan with 70 percent of the vote.
Tanzi, who ran an organized, grassroots campaign that featured a strong community presence, started door-to-door visits early and sent out personal letters and postcards. Caprio quickly rose to the challenge, sending out mass mailings as well as a personal letter to his constituents.
Tanzi ran on a platform that included ideas for local energy, local food and the local economy. Recently, she voiced opposition to tax reform passed by the General Assembly. She said she looks forward to revitalizing the district. "It has been, from the beginning, about the health of our community," she said Tuesday.
An intriguing subplot to this race developed as both candidates emphasized their roots in the community. Caprio was raised in Narragansett and attended elementary and junior high school here, but the Tanzi camp suggested his alliances lie in Providence. Caprio dismissed the remarks, saying his law practice and duties at the State House dictate where he spends much of his time.
In a letter to constituents, he referred to "special interests [that] have descended upon us from 'North of the Tower' to support my opponent" and suggested that Tanzi had run a negative campaign. His supporters have said Tanzi was recruited by union interests upset about Caprio's vote on changes to teacher pensions.
With turnout much higher than it was in 2008, the mood of discontent among voters may have played a large role in Caprio's defeat. In 2008, total votes for the same primary race totaled 1,623. This year, the number jumped to 2,308.
On Tuesday, both were visible while chatting with voters outside of polling places. Caprio stayed at the community center, which was the busiest of the precincts, serving hamburgers and hot dogs. Tanzi was mobile, bouncing among the three precincts after casting her vote at around 10 a.m. At the Forest Fire Station polling place in Wakefield, she served campaign cupcakes baked by Sweet Cakes Bakery in Peace Dale.
"We've had fun throughout this entire campaign," she told her supporters Tuesday night. "It's been such a rewarding experience through the get-go."
At the polls, Caprio was joined by friends and family, including his gubernatorial candidate brother, Frank T. Caprio, and his father, Providence Judge Frank Caprio. U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin, who won his Democratic primary contest in the Second Congressional District over Elizabeth Dennigan and Ernest Greco, also was spotted at the community center.
Tanzi will face Timothy W. Burchett, a Republican, and Peter J. Stone, who is running as an independent, in the Nov. 2 election.
David was endorsed by the Sierra Club, the SEIU (Service Employees International Union), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
His campaign utilized new media extensively including Facebook, multiple campaign videos posted on You Tube, and web based advertising.
On September 9, 2008, David overwhelmingly defeated his primary opponent Ryan P. Drugan by a 42% margin (71%-29%). Representative Caprio did not have a general election opponent so he returned to the State House for his fifth term beginning 6 January 2009.
Frank Caprio (judge)
Judge Frank Caprio is the television judge on ABC's Caught in Providence. He is also the chief municipal judge in Providence, Rhode Island and a member of the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Board of Rejents.Judge Frank Caprio is the son of Antonio Caprio, an...
and the brother of former Rhode Island State Treasurer Frank T. Caprio
Frank T. Caprio
Frank T. Caprio is a Managing Director at Chatham Capital a mezzanine finance firm with offices in Atlanta, Dallas and Providence. He had a twenty year political career which included being elected as the former General Treasurer of Rhode Island...
.
Education
Representative Caprio attended Bishop Hendricken High SchoolBishop Hendricken High School
Bishop Thomas Francis Hendricken High School is a Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school located in Warwick, Rhode Island, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence....
, graduating in 1985. He then went on to Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1989. He holds degrees from Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
(a J.D.) and the University of Southern Europe (an MBA).
Professional
David Caprio works as an attorney for the Providence law firm Caprio and Caprio and is an active real estate investor with holdings in Florida, Narragansett, Newport, Providence, and Barrington, Rhode Island.2010
Defeated in the September primary 1333 to 975 by Teresa TanziLocal Headlines
Tanzi brings Caprio reign to an end
By Iain Wilson/Independent Staff Writer
NARRAGANSETT - On a Primary Day that saw several upsets, none was more shocking than newcomer Teresa Tanzi's victory over House Judiciary Committee Chairman David Caprio of Narragansett. The rookie politician trumped incumbent Caprio Tuesday night in the District 34 Democratic primary, ending his 11-year reign in Narragansett and South Kingstown.
Tanzi, a Wakefield resident, carried all three polling precincts, winning by a total of 1,333 to Caprio's 975. At the Narragansett Community Center, considered a Caprio stronghold, Tanzi won by a total of 791 votes to 726 after absentee ballots were counted.
At South Kingstown High School, Tanzi captured 72.4 percent of the votes, finishing with 307. Caprio received 117 votes, or 27.6 percent. Results were closer at the Forest Fire Station on Holley Street, with Tanzi receiving 235 votes and Caprio receiving 132.
Both candidates spent Tuesday afternoon and evening at the community center on Mumford Road looking to garner votes as the clock ticked toward 9 p.m.
"What it comes down to, we had a broad base of support," Tanzi said immediately after learning of her victory at Kabuki restaurant in Wakefield, where she celebrated with dozens of friends and family, including her 4-year-old daughter, Delia. Her followers erupted the moment results came in, adding to an already buzzing atmosphere.
"We did this from the ground up, and what spurred us on is just the day-to-day support of people who said, 'Thank you for bringing up the issues,' " Tanzi said.
Caprio waited at the community center for results to come in and called to congratulate Tanzi almost immediately after results were tallied.
"It was an absolute honor to serve the people of South County," he said. "I wish Teresa well in representing our people in the State House."
Tanzi thanked her campaign manager, Libby Kimzey, and residents of the district. "This has been such a broad campaign, with so much support throughout the entire community," she said.
Caprio was elected in 1999 to fill the unexpired term of James Kelso after his death, in what was then House District 47. As Tanzi's campaign evolved, it became clear that she would present Caprio's stiffest challenge since defeating Democrat George Lenihan Jr. in a primary in 2002. In 2000, 2004 and 2006 Caprio ran unopposed, and in the last election, he handily defeated University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
student Ryan Drugan with 70 percent of the vote.
Tanzi, who ran an organized, grassroots campaign that featured a strong community presence, started door-to-door visits early and sent out personal letters and postcards. Caprio quickly rose to the challenge, sending out mass mailings as well as a personal letter to his constituents.
Tanzi ran on a platform that included ideas for local energy, local food and the local economy. Recently, she voiced opposition to tax reform passed by the General Assembly. She said she looks forward to revitalizing the district. "It has been, from the beginning, about the health of our community," she said Tuesday.
An intriguing subplot to this race developed as both candidates emphasized their roots in the community. Caprio was raised in Narragansett and attended elementary and junior high school here, but the Tanzi camp suggested his alliances lie in Providence. Caprio dismissed the remarks, saying his law practice and duties at the State House dictate where he spends much of his time.
In a letter to constituents, he referred to "special interests [that] have descended upon us from 'North of the Tower' to support my opponent" and suggested that Tanzi had run a negative campaign. His supporters have said Tanzi was recruited by union interests upset about Caprio's vote on changes to teacher pensions.
With turnout much higher than it was in 2008, the mood of discontent among voters may have played a large role in Caprio's defeat. In 2008, total votes for the same primary race totaled 1,623. This year, the number jumped to 2,308.
On Tuesday, both were visible while chatting with voters outside of polling places. Caprio stayed at the community center, which was the busiest of the precincts, serving hamburgers and hot dogs. Tanzi was mobile, bouncing among the three precincts after casting her vote at around 10 a.m. At the Forest Fire Station polling place in Wakefield, she served campaign cupcakes baked by Sweet Cakes Bakery in Peace Dale.
"We've had fun throughout this entire campaign," she told her supporters Tuesday night. "It's been such a rewarding experience through the get-go."
At the polls, Caprio was joined by friends and family, including his gubernatorial candidate brother, Frank T. Caprio, and his father, Providence Judge Frank Caprio. U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin, who won his Democratic primary contest in the Second Congressional District over Elizabeth Dennigan and Ernest Greco, also was spotted at the community center.
Tanzi will face Timothy W. Burchett, a Republican, and Peter J. Stone, who is running as an independent, in the Nov. 2 election.
2009 General Assembly Session
Representative David Caprio was named to the House Finance Committee.Election 2008
David Caprio ran a 'Green Campaign' including purchasing carbon offsets for his mobile campaign headquarters, printing all campaign materials on recycled paper, and purchasing offsets for his personal residence.David was endorsed by the Sierra Club, the SEIU (Service Employees International Union), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
His campaign utilized new media extensively including Facebook, multiple campaign videos posted on You Tube, and web based advertising.
On September 9, 2008, David overwhelmingly defeated his primary opponent Ryan P. Drugan by a 42% margin (71%-29%). Representative Caprio did not have a general election opponent so he returned to the State House for his fifth term beginning 6 January 2009.