By Cynthia Needham
Journal Staff Writer
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The Rhode Island Republican Assembly, a group that calls itself a conservative arm of the Republican Party, has endorsed Erik Wallin to chair the state GOP next March over current chairman Giovanni Cicione.

Wallin ran unsuccessfully for attorney general this fall, losing to Pawtucket Democrat Peter Kilmartin.

The official endorsement won't happen until Jan. 13 at a special convention of the organization, according to a news release from RIRA president Raymond McKay.

The Republican Party's election will take place in March 2011.

Cicione, a lawyer from Barrington, took over as chair of the state GOP in 2007, replacing Patricia Morgan.