Dominick Ruggerio won re-election as president of the Rhode Island Senate Tuesday, as the General Assembly met for the first time in 2025, although almost a third of senators did not support Ruggerio amid ongoing questions about his health.
Ruggerio, 76, won another two-year term in one of the two top leadership positions on a 26-to-12 vote, with Sen. Sam Bell (D-Providence) abstaining and a dozen supporters of Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Cumberland) responding “present” when asked for their vote.
The four Republicans in the 38-member Senate voted for Ruggerio.
In the House, Speaker Joe Shekarchi won re-election for another two-year term with 62 of 75 votes. The 10-member GOP caucus voted for Republican leader Mike Chippendale. Two absent Democrats indicated they would have supported Shekarchi, and one Democrat, Rep. Enrique Sanchez (D-Providence), abstained.
One of the top challenges facing the General Assembly this year is a more austere fiscal climate and an estimated $330 million deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1.
Other top issues include Rhode Island’s economy, challenges with healthcare and housing, and fallout from the debacle involving the Washington Bridge and a recent cyber-breach of the state’s portal for health and human services.
The part-time legislature typically meets through some time in June. The Senate initially plans to gather one day a week and the House of Representatives on two days.
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Pearson was previously seen as Ruggerio’s heir-apparent as the head of the Senate, but the two men had a falling out after Pearson broached Ruggerio’s ability to serve last year while dealing with illnesses including cancer. Pearson lost an effort to unseat Ruggerio during a November caucus.
Lingering doubts about Rhode Island’s longest-serving lawmaker nonetheless offered a subtext on a day typified by such niceties as the introduction of visitors to the Statehouse and the post-New Year renewing of old acquaintances.
Ruggerio’s candidacy for another two-year term as Senate president was initiated by Sen. Melissa Murray (D-Woonsocket). In seconding the motion, Sen. Robert Britto (D-East Providence) said he saw overwhelming support for Ruggerio — who missed significant parts of the last legislative session due to illnesses — while campaigning in his district last year.
“We are so fortunate to have him back in the people’s house,” Britto said, “and it is so good to see him feeling well.”
The president announced one initiative — an artificial intelligence and emerging technologies committee to be chaired by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Charlestown).
But Ruggerio’s opening day speech clocked in at about three minutes — unusually brief for such things — his voice sounded noticeably weaker than in the past and he rested his head on a hand while seated and taking a short series of questions from reporters before staffers intervened to escort him to his third-floor office.
“Unfortunately, that was the shortest president opening day speech I’ve seen in 13 years and really wasn’t filled with much substance,” Pearson told The Public’s Radio after the session, adding that in his view, it’s unclear if the Senate is ready to do the people’s business.
With a series of leadership changes, Ruggerio said he looked forward to working with his team “and all of you toward the betterment of our state and the spirit of service and collaboration.”
Ruggerio was among those voting “present.” He told reporters he didn’t mean to do that, but had trouble hearing during the vote.
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Asked about his health, Ruggerio said, “My health is very good. That’s why I don’t want you guys to get mixed up.”
He said he doesn’t plan to reach out to the senators who didn’t support him.
Sen. Val Lawson (D-East Providence) has succeeded Pearson as majority leader, the number two position in the Senate, and Sen. David Tikoian (D-Smithfield) took over Lawson’s former role as whip.
Among other changes, Ruggerio sacked Sen. Dawn Euer (D-Newport) as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, replacing her with Sen. Matthew LaMountain (D-Warwick), who often filled in for Ruggerio on the rostrum last year. Another Pearson supporter, Sen. Alana DiMario (D-Narragansett), was replaced as chair of the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee by Sen. Susan Sosnowski (D-South Kingstown).
LaMountain was also elevated as deputy president pro tempore, and Sen. Hanna Gallo (D-Cranston), who, like LaMountain, chairs a committee, was made president pro tempore.
Pearson said “it’s not normal” for people to have multiple leadership titles with the Senate. “I think that is a demonstration of not being willing to bring other people into the fold,” he said.
As the senior senator from Newport, Euer led the start of the session, although she said she could not vote for Ruggerio because she has lost confidence in him. “Even though there was no other candidate, I would rather vote present,” she said, “and I’m going to continue to work with my colleagues to try to get the best outcome for my constituents.”
