A Growing List of Top RI Lawmakers Are Quitting
GoLocalProv Political Team
A Growing List of Top RI Lawmakers Are Quitting
Leaders in the Rhode Island General Assembly are quitting at a near-record pace.
As GoLocal reported on Monday, Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey is not seeking reelection.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe was the potential heir apparent to succeed Senate President Dominick Ruggerio.
McCaffrey has served in the legislature since 1994. “It is with a heavy heart that after nearly three decades in the State Senate I am deciding not to seek reelection to an institution that I deeply admire and respect,” said McCaffrey.
Ruggerio has served since 1980 — 42 years when he finishes this term.
The departure of McCaffrey will force a reset of the Senate Leadership.
But, McCaffrey is just one of the legislative leaders who has announced his retirement.
Dennis Algiere, the Republican Senate Leader announced his retirement in early May.
He had served in the Senate since 1992.
And last week, House Minority Leader Blake Filippi — arguably the brightest star in the Rhode Island Republican Party announced he would not seek re-election. He had been a top GOP candidate for governor.
In stepping down he cited some of his biggest efforts, "We broke new ground for good government with legal action to end the unlawful operations of the Joint Committee on Legislative Services (JCLS). The JCLS is a committee of General Assembly Leadership charged to spend the General Assembly’s $50 Million budget. The JCLS has not met in over ten years, yet the money continues to be spent."
"As a result, our Superior Court has now ruled that General Assembly Leadership are not entitled to legislative immunity, and legal action may be brought against them to block the unlawful operations of this committee. I continue to urge my JCLS colleagues to finally uphold the rule of law, not the rule of power. It is never too late to do the right thing, and I believe they will ultimately rise to the occasion," Filippi added.
Also, State Representative Marcia Ranglin-Vassell who made national news in 2016 when she toppled House Majority Leader John DeSimone, announced she will not seek reelection.
"I just beat the establishment....fighting for all of us," wrote Ranglin-Vassell on her Facebook page on primary night.
Ranglin has endorsed Kormasa Amos to succeed her in District 5.
Another senior member of the Senate that announced she would not seek re-election was Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Cynthia Armour Coyne. She received high marks for her management of the three gun safety bills this past session. She represents District 32 (Barrington, Bristol, East Providence). She served as a trooper with the Rhode Island State Police, rising to the rank of lieutenant.
Liana Cassar announced she was quitting after just two terms. She represented District 66 in Barrington and East Providence and had emerged as a progressive leader in the House.
Coyne, Ranglin, and Cassar mark three top women leaving the legislature.
And there are two legislators seeking higher office. State Representative Gregg Amore, a ten-year veteran of the House is running for RI Secretary of State. Sunday night he won the Democratic Central Committee's endorsement. He represents East Providence.
And, Deb Ruggerio who represents District 74 (Jamestown, Middletown) announced she is running for Lt. Governor. She was not endorsed. Sitting Lt. Governor Sabina Matos won the party's endorsement.
Regardless of election results on primary night or election day, the Rhode Island General Assembly will be very different in 2023.