76th Governor of Rhode Island, Dan McKee, takes office

Governor Raimondo is now Commerce Secretary Raimondo and a member of the President’s cabinet. She was approved yesterday by a vote of 84-15 in the Senate. She will be sworn into office later today by VP Kamala Harris.

Lt. Gov. McKee was sworn in as RI Governor last night – there will be another small inauguration planned for Sunday.

McKee has served s Lt. Governor since 2014 and was Cumberland Mayor for 6 terms. He graduated from Bachelor of Arts degree from Assumption College in Worceser and has an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. He is credited with being a small business advocate, supportive of the Mayoral Academies. Throughout the pandemic he has focused on helping small businesses learn what national and local support was there for them, including the wedding and special event industry.

McKee has not picked a Lt. Governor yet with some estimates of close to 80 applications having been made. The front runner, early on, was former Mayor Diossa of Central Falls. McKee opened the application process as more people were interested in the position. A few days ago, McKee said that he would interview all those interested, for filling of other positions as needed.

The Governor begins his day with a tour of vaccination centers and a meeting with his new staff. Initial staff were announced – they are: