Gina Raimondo sworn in as RI’s 75th governor

January 6, 2015 1:27 pm

By: Dee DeQuattro

Twitter: @deedequattro

Gina Raimondo has been sworn in as Rhode Island‘s 75^th governor.

Raimondo is Rhode Island‘s first female governor and the first Democrat to be elected to the office in nearly two decades.

During her inaugural address she called for a Rhode Island comeback, calling on all Rhode Islanders to work together to help improve the economy and create opportunities.

“Today I ask you to join me and reach for something better for Rhode Island,” said Raimondo.

The new governor emphasized the importance of economic growth in the Ocean State.”We need to revive our manufacturing structure,” said Raimondo. “If we make things in Rhode Island, people can make it in Rhode Island.”

At the same time, she warned of the tough decisions that elected leaders will have to make while grappling with a $200 million budget deficit and the shared sacrifice that will be felt by all of Rhode Island.

Raimondo said Rhode Islanders need to embrace change and that leaders and citizens alike can no longer adopt the mentality that things will never change.

She admonished the politics of the past and called for “new politics and new ideas.” She said she looks forward to working with the General Assembly and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello to bring real change and growth to Rhode Island.

Raimondo did not touch upon social issues during the speech but instead focused her message primarily around change and economic development. She said the state must build skills among workers, attract entrepreneurs and use innovation in order to facilitate Rhode Island‘s comeback.

Lt. Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, and Attorney General Peter Kilmartin were also sworn in during the ceremony.

Tonight the state is hosting a WaterFire in honor of all the elected officials.