Rhode Island Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, left, assumed her Senate leadership role in the fall of 2023. Now Senate President Dominick Ruggerio wants her to ascend to majority leader, replacing Sen. Ryan Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat, right. (Rhode Island General Assembly photos)
For six months, rumors swirled about a growing rift between Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson.
Both Democrats denied their relationship had grown frosty, or that Pearson attempted a “coup” to seize power from the ailing president, who was absent for part of the 2024 legislative session due to illness.
The long-held silence is now broken. So too, appears their relationship.
“I was consistently told for months by the president’s chief of staff that he had no issue, and was not upset with me,” Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat, said in an interview Wednesday. “It’s clear to me now that was not the case.”
Pearson’s comments come on the heels of a joint statement between Ruggerio and Senate Majority Whip Valarie Lawson late Tuesday, announcing Lawson’s bid for the majority leader spot, with Ruggerio’s support. The news was first reported by the Providence Journal Tuesday — which is how Pearson found out.
“I am disappointed that neither of them reached out to me first,” Pearson said.
Ruggerio, a North Providence Democrat who has served as Senate president since 2017, did not respond to inquiries for comment on his relationship to Pearson. The senate majority leader, chosen in a closed-door caucus by Senate Democrats following the Nov. 5 election, helps vet legislation and negotiate with the House behind-the-scenes, as well as a public-facing leadership role.
Rhode Island Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, left, a North Providence Democrat, enters the Senate Chamber on the last night of the 2024 legislative session on Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Will Steinfeld/Rhode Island Current)
“As the current Senate Majority Whip, Val is a vital member of our leadership team,” Ruggerio said in a statement Tuesday. “She has provided valued guidance and leadership on every aspect of the Senate’s business and earned the trust and admiration of her colleagues. Like most members of our chamber, I have come to rely on Val’s insight, counsel, and steadfast dedication to the State Senate and the people of Rhode Island. I know that she will make an exceptional Majority Leader.”
Lawson, an East Providence Democrat elected in 2018 who works as president of the state teachers union, was tapped as majority whip last fall, filling the leadership role left vacant after former Sen. Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin died in April 2023.
Pearson, who was first elected in 2012, ascending to the role as Ruggerio’s second-in-command in 2022, said he’s not going down without a fight.
“It’s an election, not an appointment,” Pearson said.
I was consistently told for months by the president’s chief of staff that he had no issue, and was not upset with me. It’s clear to me now that was not the case.
– Senate Majority Leader Ryan Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat
Pearson said other state senators told him they were also unaware of Lawson’s intentions to seek the no. 2 spot, and “have a lot of concern.”
Lawson indicated otherwise.
“I am honored to have the support of President Ruggerio to serve as our next Senate Majority Leader,” Lawson said in a statement. “I am working with all of my Democratic colleagues to earn their support as well. “I know that each and every member of this caucus shares a deep commitment to our state and to the communities we serve. I hope to utilize my experience in Senate leadership, in building coalitions, in addressing complex issues, and in successful negotiations, to help the members of our chamber achieve their objectives on behalf of our constituents.”
Senate Finance Chairman Lou DiPalma planned to back Lawson as Senate Majority Leader, despite expressing interest in the role himself earlier this year.
“It’s not about me being excited or disappointed about what I am doing or what I am not doing,” DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, said in an interview Wednesday. “It’s about doing the best I can for the job I have for my constituents and then the state.”
Lawson did not return calls and emails for comment Wednesday. She told The Providence Journal, however, that Ruggerio privately courted her to run for Senate Majority Leader prior to the public announcement Tuesday.
Closed-door meetings have been a running theme of the 2024 legislative session. In March, Pearson and Ruggerio met privately to discuss Ruggerio’s declining health and, according to news reports, Pearson’s interest in taking over the president spot.
Pearson denied this Wednesday, insisting the conversation centered on Pearson’s concern that Ruggerio “might be pushing himself too hard” amid health concerns.
As Pearson tells it, Ruggerio broached the subject of his own ability to run again. Pearson never directly expressed interest in the president’s role, simply telling Ruggerio, “let us know what you need.”
Pearson has not spoken at length to Ruggerio since late March. But he did not take that as a sign to be worried, noting that many lawmakers were not in regular communication with the Senate President, who missed more than a month at the end of session due to health problems.
Ruggerio also skipped his own victory party the night of the Sept. 10 primary, based on medical advice as he recovered from having shingles, he said at the time. Still, Ruggerio has remained steadfast in his reelection bid and ability to serve as Senate President.
“He’s on the mend, categorically,” DiPalma said, having spoken to Ruggerio a week prior. “He’s back.”
Lawson and Ruggerio both face no general election challengers in their reelection bids. Pearson will square off against two independent candidates, former state Rep. James McLaughlin and Amanda Blais, on Nov. 5.
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