After months of speculation, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has gone public with his support for replacing his No. 2, Majority Leader Ryan Pearson, with Senate Democratic Whip Val Lawson.
“Val is a vital member of our leadership team,” Ruggerio said in a statement. “She has provided valued guidance and leadership on every aspect of the Senate’s business and earned the trust and admiration of her colleagues. Like most members of our chamber, I have come to rely on Val’s insight, counsel, and steadfast dedication to the State Senate and the people of Rhode Island.
“I know that she will make an exceptional majority leader.”
The vote on whether to replace Pearson as majority leader will take place during a Senate Democratic caucus after the November general election.
Ruggerio’s support for Lawson was first reported by the Providence Journal.
Pearson, initially elected from a Cumberland-based district in 2012, was previously considered the heir apparent to Ruggerio. After serving as Senate Finance chairman, Pearson became majority leader after Michael McCaffrey of Warwick did not seek re-election in 2022.
But relations between them soured after Pearson visited Ruggerio at his North Providence home last spring and indicated interest in succeeding him on a faster schedule.
Ruggerio, 75, the longest-serving lawmaker in Rhode Island, has battled a series of health issues, including cancer, and he was not present for stretches of the last General Assembly session. At the same time, the North Providence Democrat has not indicated any interest in leaving the Senate.
In a statement, Pearson expressed disappointment that Ruggerio did not speak with him before communicating with reporters about wanting to elevate Lawson.
“It has been no secret that the Senate has suffered through a period of change and loss,” Pearson said, in an apparent reference to the deaths from illness of former Whip Maryellen Goodwin and Sen. Frank Lombardo of Johnston. “This has led to a weakened institution that could do better in meeting its obligations to the people of Rhode Island.
“Throughout this past year I have heard consistent concerns from Senators and I know they are eager to have a thoughtful conversation about the Senate’s priorities and how we are going (to) organize (and) operate to be effective,” he added. “Over the coming weeks I am confident senators will continue to discuss and together we will chart a path forward.”
Lawson, D-East Providence, has moved up quickly since first winning election in 2018.
“I hope to utilize my experience in Senate leadership, in building coalitions, in addressing complex issues, and in successful negotiations, to help the members of our chamber achieve their objectives on behalf of our constituents,” she said in a statement. “I look forward to working collaboratively with all of them to provide the strong leadership we need to address the serious challenges facing our state.”
This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.
