PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Senate President Dominick Ruggerio is forcefully rejecting calls by his primary challenger to follow President Biden’s lead and retire, even as he continues to limit his public schedule due to medical issues.

Ruggerio was supposed to attend a high-profile fundraiser on Thursday afternoon hosted by longtime State House lobbyist Joe Walsh at the Warwick Country Club. But Target 12 confirmed that the North Providence Democrat unexpectedly failed to show up.

Word of Ruggerio’s absence quickly spread among Smith Hill insiders, coming months after the 75-year-old disclosed a cancer diagnosis that led him to miss extended stretches of this year’s General Assembly session. Walsh has not responded to a request for comment.

But Greg Pare, a spokesperson for Ruggerio, said his current medical issue has nothing to do with the cancer treatment. “In fact, his treatment for cancer is going very well,” he said.

Pare said Ruggerio is scheduled to have “a minor procedure” next week to alleviate pain from a nerve pressing on his jaw, which he described as a complication arising from when the Senate president contracted the shingles virus earlier this year.

“It is expected to alleviate the pain he’s feeling, and it should be a fairly rapid recovery after that,” he said. “His doctors advised him to avoid crowds, because there are some viruses around. He was planning to go to the fundraiser, but at the insistence of his staff he decided not to attend at the last minute.”

Ruggerio’s absence at the fundraiser comes as he is once again facing a Democratic primary challenge from Lenny Cioe, who previously ran against him unsuccessfully in 2020 and 2022. A long list of surrogates have been door-knocking for Ruggerio in his district as he limits his own campaigning.

Ruggerio is the longest-serving member of the General Assembly, first elected to the House in 1980 and then the Senate in 1984. He has served as Senate president since 2017.

In a statement Thursday, Cioe argued Ruggerio is no longer able to effectively represent his constituents or lead the Senate.

“Last week we saw an act of incredible political courage by President Joe Biden, when he decided to step down from the race for president and pass the torch to Kamala Harris,” Cioe said. “Biden stepped down for the country. Dominick Ruggerio needs to do the same for Rhode Island.”

“Even though he’s not able to be present in the State Senate, he’s still running because he doesn’t know when time is up,” Cioe added. “I am calling for Dominick Ruggerio to step down from Rhode Island’s state Senate. Like Joe Biden, it’s time to pass the torch to the next generation of state leaders.”

Ruggerio’s campaign unloaded on Cioe in response, releasing supportive statements from not only the Senate president but also from House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, state Rep. Arthur “Doc” Corvese and state Sen. David Tikoian.

“This is the type of negative politics that people are sick of,” Ruggerio said. “I am not surprised in the least that my opponent would prefer not to have to face me at the ballot box. He knows he can’t win.” He suggested Cioe’s progressive policy proposals are out of step with voters.

“While Lenny has certainly read beyond the headlines enough to know I was deeply involved in all Senate business while recovering from an illness last session – and he has certainly seen the energy of our robust campaign this summer – he has nevertheless chosen to take a cheap shot in hopes of drawing free media attention,” Ruggerio said.

The other Democrats who backed Ruggerio all echoed the campaign’s insistence that the Senate president remains engaged and able to do his job.

Shekarchi said, “President Ruggerio is a wonderful friend and a truly outstanding partner at the State House. I know the most recent session was challenging for him, but he was just as deeply engaged in our work as he has always been – maybe even more than ever, based on how often the two of us spoke.”

Corvese described Cioe’s statement as “a cheap shot,” saying, “What is most appalling to me about Mr. Cioe’s stunt today is the complete lack of compassion and understanding being shown by a registered nurse.”

“The Senate president has a physical medical condition, from which he is expected to make a full recovery,” Corvese said. “Mentally, he is as sharp as ever, and I have continued to work closely with him daily to deliver results for our constituents.”

Ted Nesi ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesi’s Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter, Threads and Facebook.

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