PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island Senate Democrats have voted to endorse Senate President Dominick Ruggerio to remain as leader of the chamber, paving the way for him to be formally re-elected in January, and also tapped Sen. Michael McCaffrey to continue as majority leader.
The two moderate Democrats were elected by separate votes of 24-to-7 over more progressive challengers Sen. Gayle Goldin, a Providence Democrat who ran for Senate president, and Sen.-elect Jeanine Calkin, a Warwick Democrat who ran for majority leader.
The Democratic caucus met in a socially distant manner in the Providence Marriott downtown, and allowed members to submit votes remotely.
In a surprise announcement given Senate leaders’ prior opposition to the idea, McCaffrey said in his remarks following the vote that “the time has come to legalize adult cannabis use.” That prospect had previously been ruled out by the leaders of both the Senate and House.
McCaffrey also called…