BREAKING: Sen. Tassoni Will Not Run For Re-Election
Thursday, September 22, 2011
State Senator John J. Tassoni, Jr. will not seek a seventh term in the Rhode Island Senate.
Tassoni, who is president of The Sentinel Group, a Providence-based business development firm, and the publisher of CommonGround, a labor-focused monthly newspaper, said he plands to spend more time with his family and devote his full attention to his businesses.
“I decided to run for office 12-years ago after raising money for a Smithfield woman battling breast cancer. The Friday before she died, she wrote to me and suggested I seek public office to put my passion for helping people to full time use,” Tassoni explained. “I am proud to say that I fulfilled my promise and worked hard to make a difference in the lives of everyday people.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTDuring his tenure in the Senate, Tassoni was responsible for a prolific amount of legislation, with 114 bills he authored becoming law. Issues affecting children were always of critical importance to Senator Tassoni, which was exemplified by his work to create the anti-bullying commission and pass Rhode Island’s first cyber-bullying law. Last year, he also authored legislation and secured passage of a bill that will create Rhode Island’s first recovery high school for children suffering from addiction.
It is unclear who, if anyone, Tassoni will endorse to replace him. One name rumored to be considering a run for the seat is Bill Hawkins Jr., the former Assistant Commissioner RI Coastal Resources Council at State of Rhode Island.
