Projo Politics Blog

Rep. Stephen R. Ucci will undergo preventative cancer treatment next week that will likely keep the ambitious Johnston lawmaker from attending a special House session scheduled for mid October.

"Despite my treatment and recuperation this fall, I want to make it perfectly clear I will be accessible and active in the promotion of Johnston's and Cranston's interests," he said. "Our state is in crisis and I will continue to bring the thoughts and concerns of this district to the State House."

Ucci, who hopes to replace House Speaker William J. Murphy should the speaker step down, successfully battled Hodgkins Lymphoma last year. At one point, several colleagues shaved their heads during the session to support Ucci, who had lost his hair because of cancer treatment.

He has been cancer free ever since.

Next Tuesday, Ucci will report to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where doctors will preform further treatments over a three-week period known as autologus stem-cell therapy -- similar to a bone-marrow transplant. The preventative treatment will require about eight weeks of recuperation once he returns home from the hospital.

"I feel it is important to share this information with my constituents. They have been so supportive throughout my battle with cancer," Ucci said in a statement. "Everyone faces obstacles in their lives and I want the residents of Johnston and Cranston to know that I will continue to be available to them."

In a separate interview, Ucci reiterated his desire to become the Speaker of the House, despite his health challenges.

"We need to change the way things run," he said. "It seems like all we do is get the budget passed and run out the building. There's no policy agenda; we're not fixing any problems."

Should the speaker post become vacant -- Speaker Murphy has suggested he would not seek another term -- Ucci will likely battle at least two known contenders for what is arguably the most powerful elected position in state government: Rep. Gregory J. Schadone and House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox.

Ucci acknowledged hearing from his colleagues that Fox has been lobbying members for support.

"I know Gordon's out talking to people, which means he at least sees an opportunity," Ucci said. "I can't imagine he would do so without the speaker's blessing."

A spokesman for Murphy and Fox had no immediate comment.

 

 Tags  cancer treatment General Assembly health politics Stephen Ucci

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