The Rhode Island Senate’s hypothetical, forward-looking leadership succession plan became present-day reality with the death of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio Monday.
But just as some lawmakers were tight-lipped about Ruggerio’s declining health and the impact of his absences on the chamber prior to his death, they are keeping quiet about the forthcoming election.
Senate Majority Leader Val Lawson and Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian walked out of the room when asked by reporters at a State House appearance Monday when the Senate will elect a new president. Both had stressed the need for privacy during individual remarks minutes earlier.
“It’s fitting first and foremost in the early hours of this loss to focus on the life and legacy of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio,” Tikoian, a Smithfield Democrat, said during the press conference. “And we will accomplish that by providing proper respect, decorum, and tribute, fitting for our Senate president.”
The Senate has cancelled all of its regularly scheduled floor sessions and committee hearings until further notice — at least through the end of the week, Lawson said.
When the chamber reconvenes, its first task will be to choose a new leader. While the majority leader has been the obvious successor in recent history — Ruggerio ascended to the presidency role from majority leader in 2017 — Lawson has not said publicly whether she wants the job.
Lawson’s time as second-in-command has been brief. The East Providence Democrat was elected in 2018, ascending to majority whip in 2023. In the fall of 2024, Ruggerio brought in Lawson to replace former Majority Leader Ryan Pearson on the heels of a growing feud between Pearson and Ruggerio rooted in Ruggerio’s health and ability to lead. At the Senate Democrats’ November caucus, Pearson challenged Ruggerio for the president position; he lost, but had the backing of nearly one-third of the Senate’s 34 Democratic members.
Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat first elected in 2012, declined to comment when asked on Monday about his interest in seeking the leadership role in the upcoming election.
“Today is about remembering Senator Ruggerio,” Pearson said in a text message.
Another name being whispered down State House halls as a possible contender is Sen. Frank Ciccone, a Providence Democrat who has served 22 years. Ciccone sat in the folding chairs of the Senate Lounge Monday morning as Lawson and Tikoian offered brief tributes to the late Ruggerio.
Ciccone did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Monday.
Meanwhile, Sen. Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat who was believed to be considering a run for president as recently as the fall caucus, confirmed to WPRI-TV 12 Monday that she did not intend to seek the president role. Euer did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment on Monday.
While sitting state senators determine who will be their next president, constituents in Ruggerio’s District 4, spanning northern Providence and North Providence, will elect his successor in a forthcoming special election. The Rhode Island Secretary of State, who oversees state special elections, has not yet set dates, Faith Chybowski, a spokesperson for the office, said in an email on Monday. State law requires open seats to be filled 70-90 days after a vacancy occurs. However, there is flexibility to push the election later within the calendar year if it is “doubtful” that the successor will be chosen in time to complete the legislative session.
The General Assembly returned from its April recess today and is expected to conclude its annual session by June 30.
This story was originally published by the Rhode Island Current.
