Another Democratic Senator Chooses Retirement over Re-election
Thursday, July 01, 2010
On the heels of the stunning news that Senate Majority Leader Dan Connors will not be seeking re-election, another prominent Democratic Senator has decided to retire.
Sen. John "Jack" McBurney (D-15 Pawtucket) will not be seeking re-election.
Although McBurney filed papers to run, sources tell me that he is retiring and he will not have his name on the ballot. He has given his support to Donna Nesselbush who will run unopposed in the September 14th Democratic Primary and only have to face an Independent in the Nov. 2nd General Election. You may recall that Nesselbush was recruited by Emily's List to run for Congress after Congressman Kennedy's decision to retire. She ultimately decided against a Congressional run and seems poised to join the State Senate in 2011.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMcBurney has had a long, storied and illustrious career in the State Senate. He will have served 18 terms and 36 years - rising to a position of Senate President Pro Temp. He has been chairman of the R.I. Lottery Commission, the Senate Corporations Committee and the Senate Labor Committee. McBurney, a graduate of St. Raphael's, URI and Suffolk Law, has seven children and is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
McBurney's retirement raises the number of Senate retirements to 5: Maselli, Raptakis, Connors, Lenihan and McBurney.
