Rhode Island House Minority Leader Chippendale Statement Regarding the Speaker’s Resignation

Rhode Island House Minority Leader Chippendale StatementRegarding the Speaker’s Resignation

5/7/2026

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State House, Providence, RI – Rhode Island House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale offers the following statement regarding the resignation of K. Joseph Shekarchi as the Speaker in the Rhode Island House of Representatives:

Speaker Shekarchi’s decision to step away from the Speaker’s rostrum marks a significant moment for the Rhode Island House of Representatives. While the Minority Caucus will continue to watch the judicial selection process with appropriate care and respect for the institutions involved, we wish Speaker Shekarchi well as he pursues this opportunity to serve Rhode Island in a different capacity.

This transition has not come as a surprise to those of us in the House. It has been discussed in State House conversation for months, and it is clear the uncertainty surrounding this decision has contributed to delays in the important work of the chamber. Rhode Islanders deserve a General Assembly that is focused, organized, and fully engaged in the urgent business before us.

Regardless of who emerges in the roles of the new leadership team within the Democratic Caucus, the House Minority Caucus stands ready to continue to work on the matters left unfinished. The people we represent are still facing the same serious problems they faced before this leadership transition began: an unaffordable state, a stagnant and underperforming economy, a crumbling health care system, the worst infrastructure in the nation --despite an exorbitant $15B proposed state budget, and the continued loss of young Rhode Islanders to states that offer greater affordability, opportunity, and stability.

The balance of this session must not be consumed by internal politics or leadership maneuvering. It must be used to address the real and pressing challenges facing Rhode Island families, taxpayers, small businesses, patients, providers, and young people trying to build a future here.

We hope for a smooth transition in House leadership, a renewed sense of urgency, and a productive conclusion to this legislative session for the benefit of all Rhode Islanders.

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About rhode island house republicans

In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.