Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE. R.I. -- While he is not pulling out of the race to succeed William J. Murphy as House Speaker, Rep. Gregory Schadone has acknowledged that he does not have the votes to win if the vote is called, as expected, this week.

"No one suspected this would happen so quickly,'' Schadone, D-North Providence, said Monday as Murphy, the House Speaker since January 2003, alerted his supporters to a 5:30 p.m. dinner Tuesday at which time he and his chosen successor -- House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox -- are expected to spell out their timeline for the anticipated leadership transition this week.

Two-term state Rep. Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, has confirmed that Fox has asked him to be his second-in-command, as majority leader.

A lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases, Mattiello said: Leader Fox has asked me to serve as his majority leader. I have accepted. I look forward to working very closely with him to serve the citizens of the state of Rhode Island.'' In a wide-ranging interview, Mattiello hailed Fox as a "very dedicated, intelligent and compassionate human being,'' while acknowledging they don't agree on all issues, such as same-sex marriage.

"He is going to do a good job as speaker, whenever that happens,'' said Mattiello, suggesting there is still some fluidity in the timing of the anticipated vote.

A House speaker is chosen by the entire 75-member House of Representatives, but for all practical purposes is chosen by the Democrats who control all but six seats within the chamber.

And though Murphy's departure comes earlier than some in the House anticipated, he and his leadership teams clearly felt compelled to make their moves when they were confident they had the votes to win, and before heavy negotiations begin over the budget and other politically difficult issues.

Though "mindful we are not gong to control the outcome,'' House Minority Leader Robert Watson, R-East Greenwich, said, one of his allies will place his name in nomination, in keeping with their tradition of nominating a "a candidate who reflects the Republican views we are trying to espouse in the room.''

Schadone said his supporters will nominate him as well, but with the outcome all but certain now, he anticipated a number of his supporters would cast their votes for Fox as the likely winner and his team.

"I think it came down to Gordon and myself and we just did not have time to make our case,'' Schadone said. "No one suspected this would happen so quickly... in February.''

"I think it is a travesty the way this is going down, to resign as speaker merely so you can handoff the speakership. That, in my opinion, is self-serving,'' he said.

Schadone, who is aligned with the Democratic party's more conservative wing, said he and his supporters would be watching closely to see "what legislative issues we tackle,'' and "if any substantial changes will be made ... if it remains status quo, you can be assured my name will be up again in January.''

The likelihood of a vote this week for a new Speaker came to light on Friday.

As Monday unfolded, the House leadership put out a statement that said "Leader Fox has confirmed that he has asked Rep. Mattiello to be the nominee for Majority Leader and Rep. [J. Patrick] O'Neill to be the nominee for Whip.

"The final vote is made by the Democratic Caucus. They have not finalized a location for their 5:30 meeting. The caucus is still a work in progress.''

Additionally, the statement confirmed that House Majority Whip Peter Kilmartin, who is expected to announce his candidacy for attorney general soon, had informed Fox that he did "not wish to be candidate for Whip and he has taken himself out of the running.''

 

 Tags  Gordon Fox Nicholas Mattiello William Murphy

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