Two days after declining to confirm or deny that he will be leaving the Senate, Rhode Island state Sen. Joshua Miller released a long statement touting his record and saying that he will leave unfinished work for others to tackle.
The Public’s Radio reported Sunday that Miller, 70, shared his decision with celebrants at the Pride Parade in downtown Providence the previous night.
“Representing District 28’s constituents in Cranston and Providence (and part of Warwick before redistricting) has been an honor and a privilege I am fortunate to have been granted by my community for nearly 18 years,” the longtime senator said Tuesday. “Today, I am announcing that I will not be running for reelection.”
Miller was first elected in 2006 and he is the current chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
“Since 2007, I have been committed to creating policy that creates an opportunity for residents of our state to live more equitable and healthy lives, and I am proud of what I accomplished while in office,” he said. “With the support of my fellow legislators, I have passed bills that align with the goals I set for myself when I first ran for office: improving the lives and well-being of Rhode Islanders,” by supporting measures including expanding Medicaid, codifying the Affordable Care Act into state law, and doing away with annual and lifetime limits in health coverage.
Miller said he’s most proud of supporting bills to promote gun safety, legalize same-sex marriage, create a state-based right to an abortion, and legalize marijuana.
The Cranston Democrat has been a part of the nightlife and restaurant scene in Providence for years. He owned the bygone Met Cafe music venue, the now-defunct Local 121 restaurant and bar, and now helps operate Trinity Brewhouse and the Hot Club.
Miller did not specify a reason for not seeking reelection. His statement made no mention of an incident last year when he pleaded no contest to keying the side of a vehicle with a “Biden sucks” sticker parked at a Cranston shopping center – a topic that would have made for likely fodder in the coming campaign season.
There are now at least four open seats in the 38-member Senate, due to the death this year of Sen. Frank Lombardo of Johnston, and the decision not to run by Sens. Roger Picard of Woonsocket and Frank Lombardi of Cranston, all Democrats.
The filing deadline for legislative candidates is next Wednesday.
Melissa Carden, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, is among those considering running for the seat being vacated by Miller. Other prospective candidates include Lammis Vargas of the Cranston City Council and Darrell Brown of the Conservation Law Foundation’s Rhode Island office.
This story has been updated to elaborate on the potential candidates.