1986Final results
1986 election for Rhode Island House District 17
Rhode Island House of Representatives · Rhode Island
Matthew J. Smith (D) won with 69.2% of the vote, defeating Mary C. Ross (R) by 52.8 points.
Matthew J. SmithDemocrat · winner · incumbent
69.2%1,493
Mary C. RossRepublican
16.4%353
Wilber W. Jennings Jr.Independent
14.5%312
2,158 votes
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: Harvard Dataverse / Carl KlarnerUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:29 AM ET