By SANDY McGEE

CUMBERLAND - Democrat contender and elementary school principal, Karen MacBeth, beat out her Republican challenger Mike Tusoni on Tuesday for the District 52 House seat.

“I want to thank the voters in Cumberland for trusting in me for the next two years,” said MacBeth. “I want to continue to be the voice of the community. I look forward to working for the community while this seat is loaned to me.”

The former Cumberland School Committee member will now fill the District 52 House seat, which was previously held by Richard W. Singleton.

“I thank Rick Singleton,” she said at a celebration held Tuesday evening at Tuck’s Pub. “He has been a role model.”

MacBeth is employed as principal for the Leo A. Savoie Elementary School in Woonsocket. She previously served as an elementary school teacher, an elementary resource teacher and as a substitute principal.

She is a graduate of Providence College, receiving a master’s degree in administration; and Rhode Island College, receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. She also attended Northeastern University.

MacBeth is also an active member of the community, serving as an assistant swim coach for the Hockomock YMCA and a volunteer for the special needs swimming program at the Cumberland and Lincoln Boys and Girls Club. She has served as a volunteer for Special Olympics, the Hannah and Friends Fundraisers and more.

She is co-chair of the Wellness Committee in Woonsocket and a member of the emergency planning and response team in Woonsocket.

Her opponent, Tusoni, is a veteran of the Vietnam War and served for 25 years in the military. He is former president of the St. Joan Church CYO.

This was his first time running for a political office.