Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio received a strong vote of confidence Thursday during a Democratic caucus to continue in the top job in the chamber, although some senators said concerns about Ruggerio’s health and his ability to lead could remain an ongoing issue.
Ahead of a formal vote when the General Assembly starts a new session in January, Ruggerio won the support of the caucus on a 23-9 tally, with Sen. Ryan W. Pearson (D-Cumberland) losing his challenge to become president.
“That was interesting,” Ruggerio, 75, the longest-serving member of the legislature and still visibly weak from a battle with cancer and other health issues, quipped after winning the support of his caucus. “I haven’t been through anything like that.”
A few marks were visible on Ruggerio’s face, the result, his spokesman said, of accidentally banging into a cabinet.
Voting for Pearson: Sens. Jonathan Acosta of Central Falls, Alana DiMario of Narragansett, chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture, Ana Quezada of Providence, Linda Ujifusa of Portsmouth, Meghan Kallman of Pawtucket, Tiara Mack of Providence, Bridget Valverde of North Kingstown, Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Dawn Euer of Newport, and Pearson.
Earlier, some senators called for the count to take place through a secret ballot, because, they said, they feared retribution for not supporting Ruggerio, who became Senate president in 2017.
“I don’t punish people,” Ruggerio told reporters later, “but I’m going to talk to some people when we start deciding who’s going to fill out committees and things of that nature.”
The tally for president came after Sen. Val Lawson of East Providence won a near-unanimous vote to become Senate majority leader, the post previously held by Pearson. He had been the heir-apparent to eventually succeed Ruggerio before the two men had a falling out earlier this year.
“I just think there was a need for new leadership,” Ruggerio said when asked about the cause of the fracture.
Ruggerio said it is not yet clear who will get the nod for Lawson’s previous position of Senate whip, the third-raking position in the chamber.
Pearson said he hopes the Senate can change for the better, but he said the chamber was hurt by Ruggerio’s extended absences in the session earlier this year.
“And I also think the mere point of me bringing up the discussion about the president’s health and how we’re going to be effective obviously was retribution towards me,” he said.
“I hope this is a new leap, I hope we’re going somewhere forward,” Pearson added “because I think what ultimately matters, that senators care about, is getting things done and being effective for the people of Rhode Island, and that is what has to happen … But if that does not come, I do know that senators will be looking to make a change in the future.”
Pearson said he was about two tallies shy of winning caucus support to become president, but that some of his backers supported Ruggerio since he didn’t have enough senators to win.
Ruggerio said his health is improving: “My doctors are pleased, so I’ve gone through the treatments and things of that nature and I feel a lot better. And they’ve been pleased with their examinations.”
Pearson and Euer were more skeptical.
“The assertion has been made that his doctors have said he’s in better health, but I would love to see a doctor’s note,” Euer said.
During a two-hour caucus at the Waterman Grille, divisions among senators were evident as a slow-moving procedural debate grinded along for more than an hour, with a series of interruptions and expressions of frustration.
The only moment of levity came when a tone sounding like a transmission from outer space came from the mobile phone of Sen. Frank Ciccone (D-Providence).
Ruggerio noted a worsening fiscal climate with the state facing an estimated $400 million deficit, although he mostly stuck with gratitude for his supporters.
“It is truly humbling to receive the endorsement of this Caucus to serve another term as your Senate president,” he said. “I have tremendous respect and admiration for everyone in this room.”
Lawson, who serves as president of the National Education Association Rhode Island teachers union, has had a rapid ascent since first winning election in 2018.
She told senators: “You each bring different areas of expertise, varied insights, and important perspectives. Tonight, I ask all of you to join us in working together, coming together as a unified chamber, to address the challenges facing our state and to build upon the progress we have made.”
