Rep. Deb Ruggiero announces campaign for lieutenant governor
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — State Rep. Deb Ruggiero has announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island.
The District 74 Democrat has spent the last 14 years serving Jamestown and Middletown in the state legislature. She announced her next move in a video released by her campaign on Monday.
She is the current chairwoman of the House Committee on Innovation, Internet, and Technology. Ruggiero is also the chairperson of a legislative commission studying the possible reorganization of the Coastal Resources Management Council.
She previously chaired the House Committee on Small Business, where she sponsored the removal of regulations on small businesses. She served for eight years on the House Finance Committee. Ruggiero was also the sponsor of the Safe Schools Act aimed to tackle bullying in Rhode Island schools.
“Working families and small business are the backbone of our economy. Education and workforce training are the future of our state’s economy,” said Ruggiero. “But most importantly we have to do better for our seniors. We need to invest more in home-based care so our parents and grandparents can age in place. The office of Lt. Governor has so much untapped potential. You deserve a champion; I will be that champion.”
Outside of politics, Ruggiero is the president of the marketing firm, DR Communications Group.
She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Boston College before obtaining a Master’s Degree in public administration and senior leadership from Clark University.
