Shekarchi wins the speakership; some progressives abstain from leadership votes Published Wed Jan 06 2021 03:47:27 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Ian Donnis
Joe Shekarchi (D-Warwick), a longtime participant in Rhode Island politics, captured what is often called the most powerful political post in the state, easily ascending Tuesday as House speaker during an unusual legislative opening session that pointed to ongoing clashes between progressives and establishment Democrats.
With the House of Representatives meeting at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium due to the pandemic, Shekarchi won the support of 59 Democrats, while nine Republicans backed the House Minority Leader Blake Filippi, and four progressive Democrats abstained.