But Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat, promised: “Remain a member of the Senate leadership.” On Wednesday, he made clear that he was running to be Senate president, not majority leader.

“Over the past several weeks, I have heard from my colleagues in the chamber about their desire for a functioning Senate, commitment to policy goals, and transparent decision-making,” Pearson said. “The majority of members are dissatisfied with the status quo and are seeking leadership that will bring the Senate together as a unified, effective body that allows Senators to serve their constituents.”

He said he asked all senators to support him for Senate president and the response was “pretty positive.”

“We have met with members and look forward to implementing the operational vision for a Senate that will enable us to deliver results for Rhode Islanders in the areas of health, education, environment, workforce and housing policy,” Pearson said.

on Rhode Island Report podcastPearson said the Senate had become “disorganized” and allowed the House to become “more dominant” because Ruggerio’s health prevented him from being in the chamber when some key decisions were made during the last legislative session.

In interviews, some senators expressed frustration with the last legislative session, saying the Senate had a president who was not in the house, a majority leader Ruggerio did not like, and a new majority whip in Lawson. They said they didn’t know who to talk to to advance their bill and that Ruggerio’s chief of staff, John E. Fleming Jr., was negotiating with the House of Representatives without the senator present.

Senator Jonathon AcostaThe Central Falls Democrat confirmed that “colleagues have approached him to consider the possibility of another president.” But he refused to confirm that he had been asked to support Pearson.

Acosta said he wants any proposed leadership team to identify in advance their top three leaders (chairman, majority leader, whip), the legislative priorities they plan to champion and who they plan to elect to chair committees.

“Anything less than that is an insult to chamber members,” he said. “We need to be given a road map of what the next two years will look like. I want to know who will sit where and what bills we will work on.”

Acosta said the Senate has shown it can hold a session in 2020, deal with leadership challenges and set policy priorities. That year, Ruggerio and then-Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey fended off leadership challenge A pair of progressive women have called for legalizing marijuana, taxing the rich, increasing the minimum wage and addressing climate change.

Acosta, co-chair Rhode Island Black, Latino, Native, Asian American, and Pacific Islander CaucusHe said 21 lawmakers of color will attend Election Day in the 113-member House and that he would like to see two senators chairing color committees. Senator Sandra C. Cano, chair of the monochrome committee, resigned I’m about to get a job with the US Small Business Administration in September.

Acosta said the state’s spiraling budget deficit has increased the urgency to pass a bill that would tax the wealthiest Rhode Islanders at a higher rate. But Ruggerio repeatedly said: opposes higher income tax rate on the rich because he is afraid that they will leave the state.

Ruggerio did not have an immediate response Wednesday morning. But other senators said they stood behind Ruggerio.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, said he supports Ruggerio for Senate president and Lawson for Senate majority leader. And he said Ruggerio has plenty of support to remain Senate president.

“I believe Donnie can get the job done, as he has shown during his time as leader,” he said. “Donnie will be the stabilizing force we need over the next two years.”

DiPalma acknowledged that Ruggerio’s absence throughout the last legislative session and not being in the room during key negotiations was “not ideal.” But he said Senate staff communicated the Senate’s intent on key pieces of legislation. As chairman of the Finance Committee, Ruggerio meets with Senate Chief of Staff John E. Fleming Jr. at least once a week. He said that he talked to him at least twice a day.

DiPalma said Ruggerio’s health was getting better every time he talked to him. “His health has improved significantly since May and June,” he said.

Sen. David P. Tikoian, a Smithfield Democrat, said Pearson asked him to support him for president, but he said he was supporting Ruggerio. “One thing about me is loyalty,” he said. “I am fiercely loyal to the Senate president.”

Tikoian said Ruggerio has been “very supportive” of him and his district since he was first elected in 2022. “When I came in as a freshman congressman, he appointed me to important committees and allowed me to present for Smithfield, North Providence and Lincoln,” he said.

Tikoian said Pearson was intelligent and a “wonderful young man,” but added, “My allegiance is to Senate President Ruggerio.”

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at [email protected]. follow him @FitzProv.