Ruggerio names new majority whip, cleans house after coup
PROVIDENCE – After weeks of behind the scenes intrigue, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has picked a new No. 3 for his top leadership team: Sen. David Tikoian of Smithfield, a retired major in the Rhode Island State Police.
Ruggerio picked Tikoian to be the new Senate “majority whip,” which in effect makes him the chief nose-counter before bills are put to a vote. It also gives him a title that matches his role in Ruggerio’s realm: trusted advisor, following a failed coup to replace Ruggerio as Senate president.
Ruggerio said Tikoian has “earned the respect of every member of this chamber. David is a dedicated public servant of the highest integrity and a true statesman. He comports himself in a professional, forthright, genuine and courteous manner in all his interactions. I am pleased to welcome him into this important role in our leadership team.”
Who is Sen. David Tikoian?
A Rhode Island State Police officer for 23 years, retiring at the rank of major/chief administrative officer, Tikoian went on to serve as North Providence police chief from 2017 to 2020. He is presently deputy general manager of the Providence Water Supply Board.
The “whip” was Sen. Valarie Lawson of East Providence before she moved up the ladder to Senate majority leader, in place of Ruggerio’s post-election challenger for the presidency, Sen. Ryan Pearson.
Why it matters:
The appointment of the “whip” in either chamber is not usually a big, stand alone story. But at a time of uncertainty about 76-year-old Ruggerio’s health, the elevations of both Lawson and Tikoian take on added importance.
There was a lot of behind-the-scenes jockeying over who would get the spot. And it is not a singular move. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, when the General Assembly meets for the first time in 2025, Ruggerio is expected to name replacements for the two committee chairs who voted to replace him at a post-election caucus: Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Dawn Euer and Energy Chairwoman Alana DiMario.
All bets are on Sen. Matthew LaMountain replacing Euer at the helm of judiciary, and Sen. Susan Sosnowski moving back to her former perch as chair of the energy and agriculture committee.
Other anticipated moves:
Sen. Hanna Gallo will return to the helm of the Senate Education Committee, chaired most recently by Sandra Cano until she resigned her Senate seat this past Fall for a job with the Small Business Administration.,
Sen. Jake Bissaillon will chair the Housing and Municipal Government Committee, replacing a Senator who did not seek reelection: Roger A. Picard.
Sen. Melissa A. Murray will chair the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, long-led by Sen. Josh Mille who did not seek reelection.
Sen. Robert Britto will take Sosnowski’s place as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.O
Ruggerio told senators that he is creating a new Senate “Committee on AI and Emerging Technologies,” that Sen. Victoria Gu will chair.
Tikoian was first elected to the Senate in 2022, having previously served on the Smithfield Town Council.
In a surprising turn of events, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio has named a new majority whip and taken steps to clean house after a recent coup attempt within the Rhode Island Senate.
Following a tumultuous few weeks of political infighting and power struggles, Ruggerio announced that Senator Maryellen Goodwin will be taking over as majority whip, replacing Senator Ana Quezada who was ousted from the position.
In addition to the leadership changes, Ruggerio has also made sweeping changes to his staff, removing several key aides who were believed to be involved in the coup attempt.
Ruggerio stated that these actions were necessary to restore unity and stability within the Senate, and to ensure that the legislative body can continue to effectively serve the people of Rhode Island.
The recent events have sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the state, and many are now wondering what the future holds for the Senate and its leadership.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to develop.
Tags:
- Ruggerio
- Majority whip
- Leadership changes
- State Senate
- Rhode Island politics
- Political shakeup
- Coup aftermath
- Senate leadership
- Rhode Island government
- Ruggerio administration
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