Fox Expected to Remain House Speaker
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Gordon Fox is expected to be re-elected as House Speaker, after Democrats overwhelmingly nominated him for the position at a meeting last night.
Fifty-four of the 65 Democrats in the House voted in favor of Fox at a caucus held at Asian Palace on North Main Street, according to spokesman Larry Berman, who said Fox “appreciates the overwhelming support he received.” Fox will not become Speaker until the full House holds a vote on Jan. 4 when it convenes its next session. Thirty eight votes are necessary in order to be elected.
Democrats also elected the rest of their leadership team: Nicholas A. Mattiello of Cranston, Majority Leader; J. Patrick O’Neill of Pawtucket, Majority Whip; Elaine A. Coderre of Pawtucket, Speaker Temporare; and Donald J. Lally of South Kingstown, Deputy Whip.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I am honored that my colleagues in the House of Representatives re-elected me to the position of the Majority Leader and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continuing to improve education, (the) economy, and make our state a better place,” Mattiello told GoLocalProv.
Fox recognizes fiscal problems
Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, D-Woonsocket, who voted for Fox by proxy, praised the nomination. “I’ve been a supporter of Fox,” Baldelli-Hunt said. “My feeling is he does recognize the situation the state is in and the fiscal problems we’re having. … He certainly understands what needs to happen.”
Thomas Winfield, D-Smithfield, had been named as a potential challenger to Fox. But no one nominated him last night, according to Berman. The 11 Democrats who did not support Fox either abstained or were absent from the meeting. Winfield could not be reached for comment.
First term marked by many accomplishments
Fox, an 18-year member of the House who represents District 4, first became Speaker after the start of the session earlier this year. His first run as Speaker was marked by a series of significant accomplishments—passage of an education funding formula, reform of state income taxes, and reform of business regulations. If Fox is re-elected, it would be his first full session as the Speaker.
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