Political Powerhouse Ray Sullivan Passes Away
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Longtime political activist Ray Sullivan has passed away.
A former elected official in the Rhode Island General Assembly, Sullivan was instrumental in pushing through marriage equality as campaign director for Rhode Islanders United for Marriage in 2013.
Sullivan's family issued the following statement:
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our son, Raymond Sullivan. Ray passed away on Monday, October 11 at his home in Providence.
We respectfully request privacy at this difficult time. Arrangements are still pending."
Sullivan’s Career
Sullivan was a campaign aide during the 2002 gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Myrth York. From 2004 to 2010, he was a Democratic representative in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing House District 29.
In 2008, he served as state director for the Obama/Biden presidential campaign.
In 2010, Sullivan was campaign manager for Democratic Congressman Jim Langevin's re-election campaign in Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District.
He then later joined Checkmate Consulting in Rhode Island as a partner and political strategist.
Most recently, Sullivan directed public relations for the United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) union in Rhode Island.
"I first met Ray when he was working for Myrth Yorke and I was working for Sheldon Whitehouse during the 2002 governor’s race. It’s not easy forming a friendship under those circumstances, but somehow it happened. He was someone you just wanted to be around," said Bill Fischer with True North Communications.
"He was a respected adversary and a good friend - given that our clients often had opposing interests he knew how to be both. He understood campaign tactics and excelled at formulating strategic communications plans. His lasting legacy will be the passion he brought to the marriage equality campaigns and the equity he achieved for all Rhode Islanders," Fischer added.
An avid soccer fan, Sullivan had served as the Vice President of The Rebellion, the group of boisterous New England Revolution supporters.
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