RI GOP Chairman to step down at the end of his term

Journal file photo

Mark Zaccaria,

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party said he intends to step down from the unpaid post at the end of his term in March.

Mark Zaccaria, a North Kingstown businessman who was elected to the post last December, said he announced his intention to party leaders Thursday night at the state Central Committee's. The committee will next meet Jan. 17 to review candidates for the March election.

"It's a very routine transaction," Zaccaria said, stressing there was no connection between his decision to step down and the party's poor results in the last elections.

"Obviously we had a terrible showing," the 63-year-old said, "but there is no direct link between one and the other."