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Dominick Ruggerio, who served nearly 44 years as a legislator in Rhode Island and held the position of Senate president since 2017, passed away on Monday at the age of 76. His office confirmed the news, stating that Ruggerio died at Fatima Hospital in North Providence.
A member of the Democratic Party, Ruggerio was hospitalized the previous week. He had publicly shared in April that he was undergoing treatment for cancer but continued to run for re-election to the Senate, securing his position again in November.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed deep sorrow over Ruggerio’s passing, mourning the loss of a “great friend and true public servant who dedicated his life to lifting up the state he loved.” He characterized Ruggerio as a champion for working families and a vital contributor to Rhode Island’s economic fortitude.
To honor Ruggerio, Governor McKee directed that U.S. and Rhode Island state flags be flown at half-staff on all state properties until the day of his internment.
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both from the Democratic Party, also shared their condolences, with Reed reflecting on his friendship with Ruggerio and praising his advocacy for the state. “Rhode Island is better today because of Senate President Ruggerio’s leadership and dedication,” he stated.
Ruggerio began his political career in 1980 when he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, serving for two terms before moving to the Senate. He had previously served as the Senate majority leader and was affectionately known as the “dean” of the Senate due to his tenure and experience. He represented District 4, encompassing sections of North Providence and Providence.
His legislative contributions included significant reforms aimed at enhancing the business environment in Rhode Island, such as revamping the income tax system, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, easing access to capital, and fostering workforce development.
Among his notable initiatives, Ruggerio played a crucial role in the legalization of sports betting in Rhode Island, which began in 2018. He was also a proponent of legislation mandating that the state run entirely on renewable energy by 2033, a milestone that was signed into law by Governor McKee in 2022. At the time, Ruggerio highlighted the potential for Rhode Island to lead in renewable energy innovation, particularly with its status as the home of the nation’s first offshore wind farm.
Beyond economic initiatives, Ruggerio addressed public health issues, actively sponsoring measures to combat the opioid crisis and advocating for cancer prevention and treatment initiatives. His efforts earned him recognition from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which inducted him into the Rhode Island Cancer Caucus in 2022.
While Ruggerio held anti-abortion views and did not back legislation aimed at codifying federal abortion protections in state law, he committed to ensuring that his personal beliefs did not dictate the Senate’s decisions on such matters. The measure ultimately passed despite his reservations.
Before his tenure in the General Assembly, Ruggerio served as a policy aide for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor from 1977 to 1981 and later worked as an administrator for the New England Laborers Labor Management Coop Trust.
In the wake of his passing, Senate Majority Leader Valarie Lawson announced a suspension of all Senate business “until further notice.” She commended Ruggerio for his open-door approach, stating, “Many times he put his own point of view aside to listen to the members of this chamber for the good of the Senate chamber he loved.”
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abcnews.go.com