PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Two days after the election, the Rhode Island State House stirred back to life on Thursday, as Senate Democrats and Republicans met separately to choose their party leaders before the Jan. 1 start of the new General Assembly session.
The 32-member Democratic caucus overwhelmingly chose Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, of Newport, to serve another two-year term as president and Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio, of North Providence, to serve as her second-in-command.
The now five-member Republican caucus, which lost three seats in the Nov. 6 election, re-appointed longtime Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere, of Westerly, and Senate Minority Whip David Bates, of Barrington.
The Senate president post must still be officially voted on by the full 38-member chamber when it reconvenes.