The Rhode Island Senate plans to elect a new leader to replace the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio. Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo will preside until the new leader is chosen by a simple majority vote. The leadership battle involves key senators such as Valarie J. Lawson, Ryan W. Pearson, and Frank A. Ciccone III. The outcome of the leadership battle has implications for important legislation, including a push to ban assault-style weapons in Rhode Island.
A special election will be held to fill the Senate District 4 seat, but it won’t take place before the end of the legislative session in June. Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore expects the election to occur in late summer or early fall. Ruggerio won a Democratic primary challenge last year and was unchallenged in the general election.
The leadership battle stems from a rift that began in 2024 when Pearson challenged Ruggerio’s leadership due to his health issues. There are concerns that the new leader, especially if it is Ciccone, could block the assault weapons ban, which is supported by Lawson and Pearson. The battle for leadership in the Senate could have significant implications for the future direction of legislation in the state.
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