A frenetic two-way fight for the presidency of the Rhode Island Senate is playing out behind the scenes following the death of state Sen. Dominick Ruggerio at age 76 on Monday.
The battle is taking place through ongoing phone calls, as the contenders — Majority Leader Val Lawson (D-East Providence) and Sen. Frank Ciccone (D-Providence), and Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Cumberland) — try to assemble the 19 votes needed to win the presidency of the 38-member Senate.
A vote could come as early as Tuesday, one day after Ruggerio’s burial in North Providence.
Speaking anonymously, supporters of Lawson said earlier this week she had solidified support for a new leadership slate with her as president and Ciccone — who has also floated interest in the presidency —- as the new majority leader.
Supporters of rival Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Cumberland), also anonymously, disputed the suggestion that Lawson had the necessary votes and said the race had yet to be decided.
In a statement Thursday, Pearson said, “This is a time for us to bring the Senate together and have us working as a unified team for the people of Rhode Island. I am seeking my colleagues’ support based on my past record of working with each of them as Finance chair and majority leader, delivering on their priorities and meeting the diverse needs of their districts.”
In a joint statement on Thursday afternoon, Lawson and Ciccone said, “Our goal in coming together as a team is to unite the very diverse membership of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate. While our focus right now is on honoring the legacy of President Dominick Ruggerio, we believe that we have a consensus on a vision to move our Chamber forward at the appropriate time, which is after we pay our respects to our dear friend Dominick. We have commitments of support from a majority of the Caucus, and a majority of the Chamber, and we are continuing to have conversations with all of our colleagues.”
Lawson serves as president of the National Education Association Rhode Island teachers’ union, a role she is not expected to give up if she wins the presidency. Ciccone also has strong union ties as the former business manager of Rhode Island Judicial, Professional, and Technical Employees Local Union 808.
Pearson works for Citizens Bank.
If Pearson is able to win the presidency, it would represent a remarkable comeback. He previously rose to the role of majority leader and had been seen as Ruggerio’s heir-apparent.
But the two men had a falling-out last year after Pearson broached the subject of Ruggerio’s health, and Ruggerio indicated he no longer supported Pearson continuing as majority leader.
At the beginning of the General Assembly session in November, Pearson ran against Ruggerio for the Senate presidency. The 23-9 vote in favor of Ruggerio showed there was a sharp divide in the chamber.
The liberal activist group Indivisible RI is actively campaigning against Ciccone, calling him too conservative for a place in Senate leadership. Ciccone is considered a strong gun-rights supporter, and if he moves up in leadership, it could affect efforts to pass a ban on new sales of assault-style weapons.
