Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey won't run for reelection

PROVIDENCE — After a weekend in which his  Democratic Party challenger made national news, Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey has announced he is not seeking reelection.

McCaffrey, D-Warwick, has been in the state Senate since 1994 and  had been seen as a likely successor to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, 73, whenever  Ruggerio chooses to retire.

“It is with a heavy heart that after nearly three decades in the State Senate I am deciding not to seek re-election to an institution that I deeply admire and respect,” McCaffrey said Monday morning, as news of his seemingly sudden decision came to light.

“This decision does not come lightly, but it is one that I have arrived at after innumerable conversations with family, friends, and supporters. Now is the right time for me to bow out and spend my extracurricular time with those that I hold most dear.”

Later in the day, McCaffrey told The Journal the decision has been  percolating in his mind since spring, when his 25-year-old son was hospitalized last spring – and put on a ventilator for three days – with  COVID-like symptoms that did not turn out to be COVID.

His son is now OK, but  McCaffrey said "that kind of gives you a different perspective on things. ... It certainly makes you say: life is so precious, and leads towards a decision ... not to run."

McCaffrey's challenger now in the national spotlight

His announcement follows a weekend of chaotic activity in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down the landmark abortion-rights decision Roe  v. Wade.

Roe v. Wade overturned: RI advocates warn 'a close reality that more rights can be taken'

Rhode Island Political Cooperative Chairwoman Jennifer Rourke, who spoke at  a large State House protest Friday night, said she was punched in the face at least twice by off-duty Providence police  officer Jeann Lugo. Rourke had been planning to challenge McCaffrey in the Democratic primary for the District 29 Senate seat, while Lugo had been planning to run for the seat as a Republican.

Lugo ended his campaign the day after the protest.

Rourke lost to McCaffrey in 2020 with 41.8% of the vote to his 58.2%. On Monday, the left-leaning  Rhode Island Political Cooperative called on the  state Democratic Party to endorse "reproductive rights organizer Jennifer Rourke" for the seat.

“As abortion rights are being stripped away across our country, it’s more important now than ever that the Rhode Island Democratic Party throws their support behind front line reproductive rights organizers,” said Sen. Jeanine Calkin, co-chairwoman of the cooperative.

More news: Jeann Lugo once praised right-wing protesters for 'getting in front of people's faces'

The Providence police have suspended Lugo with pay. On Saturday, he was arraigned on charges of disorderly conduct and simple assault.

McCaffrey on Monday denied that  the weekend's events, which placed Rourke in the  national spotlight, had influenced his decision.

McCaffrey is the third top-ranked leader in the General Assembly to bow out, following announcements that Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere and House Minority Leader Blake Filippi would not seek reelection this year.

In an interview after an unrelated event at the State House on Monday, Ruggerio said he had no advance warning of McCaffrey's  announcement until Sunday, when they talked.

Late last week, "he intimated that he was tired and you know what, we're all like that at the end of the session, so I didn't think a lot of it at the time," Ruggerio said.

"I think he just felt it was time for him to move on and spend more time with his family. ... I think that he just felt he gave as much as he could possibly give up here and it was time."

Standing next to Ruggerio at the midday budget signing was Senate Finance Chairman Ryan 33, who acknowledged he would like to become the majority leader.

"You are always interested, of course," said Pearson, who is a senior vice president in consumer lending at Citizens Bank.

He said both posts, Senate Finance chairman and Senate majority leader, "take a lot of time and thankfully I've got the time.

"I am a single guy with no kids, and so this is what I get to spend my extra time doing," said Pearson. Ifelected Senate majoroty leader, Pearson would become the first gay person in Senate leadership in Rhode Island.

Later Monday, Senate Labor Committee Chairman Frank CIccone confirmed that, with McCaffrey leaving after this term, "I have decided to seek the majority leader position" when the usual post-election Democratic caucus is held.

Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, who has battled cancer, told The Journal she would like to keep her current position as whip, "then I can continue to focus on continuing to get better with my health." 

She said she was stunned by McCaffrey's announcement.

Meanwhile, three candidates had filed paprework to run for McCaffrey's Senate District 29 seat by the end of the day on MOnday, which as the first day of the three-day candidate declaration period: Democrat Rourke and Republicans Anthony DeLuca and Christopher Barker.  ;

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'As senate majority leader, he has led on many initiatives'

A statement issued on Monday morning recounted  McCaffrey's history as a "dissident" Democrat who rose through the ranks of power to the second-highest-ranking position in the Senate.

A conservative in a Senate with a growing progressive bloc, he was part of the leadership team that allowed an abortion-rights guarantee to come for a vote in 2019, even though he voted against it. In more recent years, he championed progressive causes, including a failed effort to raise the top income tax rate for the wealthy.

"Infamously, Senator McCaffrey’s first office was in the second-floor men’s room," a Senate statement said. "As senate majority leader, he has led on many initiatives, including: enacting court reform measures, diversifying the judiciary, and, most recently, shepherding through the most progressive cannabis regulation system in the country." 

McCaffrey is the son of former Warwick Mayor Eugene McCaffrey and Ann McCaffrey. Along with his brother Jack, McCaffrey maintains a private legal practice in Warwick.

Ruggerio thanked McCaffrey for his service.

“Michael is my right hand in leadership," he said. "He provides wisdom, savvy, and calm.

"His knowledge of how to navigate the complexities of the legislative process is unmatched. I looked to Michael to lead on the toughest issues, such as cannabis legalization and reform of our criminal justice system. He leaves an indelible mark on this state and this chamber. I am fortunate to have served alongside him and to call him a friend.“

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey not seeking reelection