RI House Speaker Declines Run For Langevin's Seat In Congress

WARWICK, RI — Rhode Island's Speaker of the House isn't going anywhere anytime soon. K. Joseph Skekarchi announced Thursday that he won't be making a run for Congressman Jim Langevin's seat in Congress.

"Although I am humbled that Congressman Langevin and many others have mentioned me as a potential Congressional candidate, I love serving as Speaker and representing my Warwick constituents at the State House," Skekarchi said. "I have no intention of seeking the Congressional seat this year."

Speculation has run wild since Langevin announced this week that he will not seek a 12th term in the U.S. House of Representatives this November. Skekarchi, a close friend of the congressman, was quickly identified as a possible candidate.

The speaker said his work is not done in the Rhode Island State House.

"We have done great work in the past year bringing people together to address important issues facing our state, including affordable housing, pay equity, climate change, health care, and so many others," he said. "These are unprecedented times as we face a pandemic recovery involving the investment of billions of federal dollars, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and the Governor, to move our state forward. Fortunately, we have a number of strong potential candidates within the Democratic Party who will continue the excellent work established by Congressman Langevin."