Taveras wins big in mayoral primary

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Angel Taveras' commanding win in Tuesday's Providence mayoral primary came as a surprise to many.

The former city housing court judge captured 48 percent of the vote to win the Democratic nomination . He beat his closest challenger, councilman John Lombardi, by 20 percentage points. Steven Costantino finished third, followed by Christopher Young in fourth.

"Most people felt this was going to be a very close race," Eyewitness News political analyst Joe Fleming said Wednesday. "It just shows you how much Providence is changing."

Taveras, born to Dominican parents, is poised to become Providence's first latino mayor. He is heavily favored to win in November against independent challenger Jonathan Scott.