Raimondo confirmed; McKee new gov


With the confirmation of Gina Raimondo to lead President Joe Biden’s Commerce Department, Daniel McKee has become the 76th governor of Rhode Island.

The Democrat, who is leaving his post as lieutenant governor, was sworn in Tuesday night by Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. He has served as Raimondo’s deputy since 2014.

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of Rhode Island at this crucial time for our state,” McKee said. “I will work hard, day in and day out, on behalf of Rhode Islanders in all 39 cities and towns to ensure we come out of this pandemic stronger than we went in.”

Raimondo, a Democrat who was re-elected to her second gubernatorial term in 2018, tendered her resignation following an 84-15 vote Tuesday in the U.S. Senate. That bipartisan approval confirmed her as the secretary of commerce in Biden’s cabinet.

“Serving as governor these past six years has been the honor of my lifetime,” she wrote to McKee. “Together, we jump-started our economy, lifted up small business, made record investments in education, led the fight against climate change, made long-overdue repairs to crumbling roads, bridges and schools, and provided skills and a pathway to a good job for thousands of Rhode Islanders. And we did it all while keeping justice and equity at the forefront.”

Raimondo, calling McKee a “dedicated public servant, an experienced executive and a good man,” said she has the “utmost confidence” in her successor.

As for Raimondo’s new post in Washington, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Jamestown resident, expressed his confidence in her.

“She will lead with integrity and play a critical role overseeing a wide array of key initiatives essential to our nation’s future, from helping U.S. manufacturers compete to investing in economic development to managing our ocean resources,” he said. “She’ll build successful partnerships, bring people together, and help spur smart, sustainable economic growth.”

Reed also conveyed his support for McKee. “He’s taking on this new assignment at a critical time. I’m committed to doing everything I can to ensure Rhode Island rises to meet the challenges ahead.”