New House Leadership Team Elected - Blazejewski Succeeds Shekarchi

New House Leadership Team Elected - Blazejewski Succeeds Shekarchi

Rhode Island State Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski was elected Speaker by the Rhode Island House of Representatives on Thursday.

 

House members voted 65-10 for Speaker Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence), who previously served as the Democratic Majority Leader.

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He succeeds Joe Shekarchi, who resigned and is seeking an appointment to the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Shekarchi had been flirting with a run for governor for months, then settled on seeking a seat on the high court.

 

During a caucus,  Democratic representatives also elected Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket) to serve as Majority Leader.

 

“I’m honored and deeply grateful to have secured the overwhelming support of my House colleagues to serve as Speaker, and for Rep. Katherine Kazarian to serve as Majority Leader,” said Blazejewski. “We have difficult work ahead, with no easy answers, but the people who sent us here to represent them deserve nothing less than our full commitment. As we all roll up our sleeves and get to work, I promise that I will always listen, be fair, have an open door and an open mind, and I will ensure that every voice in this chamber is heard.”