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Joe Shekarchi

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Joe Shekarchi
224th Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
DeputyCharlene Lima
Preceded byNicholas Mattiello
Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 2017 – January 5, 2021
Preceded byJohn DeSimone
Succeeded byChristopher Blazejewski
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 23rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2013
Preceded byRobert Flaherty
Personal details
Born
Khalil Joseph Shekarchi

(1962-05-17) May 17, 1962 (age 62)
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSuffolk University (BA, JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Khalil Joseph Shekarchi[1] (born May 17, 1962) is an American politician currently serving as speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. A Democrat, he has represented District 23 in Warwick since January 1, 2013. He was chairman of the House Labor Committee until his Democratic colleagues elected him as the House majority leader in November 2016. After four years as majority leader, his colleagues elected him speaker in November 2020 following the defeat of longtime speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Shekarchi considers himself a moderate Democrat.

Early life and education

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Shekarchi was born to a father of Iranian-American descent and a mother of Italian-American heritage. He grew up in the Conimicut neighborhood of Warwick.[2][3] He earned his bachelor's degree from Suffolk University and his Juris Doctor from the Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, prior to attending Suffolk.[2]

Career

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Shekarchi was the manager of Paul Tsongas's Rhode Island campaign for the 1992 Democratic Party presidential primaries and then served as a legislative aide in the administration of governor Bruce Sundlun. In 2010, he led future governor Gina Raimondo's successful campaign for general treasurer.[2]

When Robert Flaherty, the incumbent Democratic representative for District 23 in Warwick, failed to qualify for the ballot, Shekarchi was unopposed for the September 11, 2012, Democratic Primary, winning with 536 votes.[4] He won the November 6, 2012, General election with 4,302 votes (67.9%) against Republican nominee John Falkowski,[5] and has served in the position since January 1, 2013.[6]

Shekarchi was chairman of the House Labor Committee until his Democratic colleagues elected him as the House majority leader in November 2016.[7] After four years as majority leader, his colleagues elected him speaker in November 2020 following the defeat of longtime speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Shekarchi considers himself a moderate Democrat.[8]

Personal life

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Shekarchi is openly gay.[9] He is the second openly gay speaker of the Rhode Island House, after Gordon Fox.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Joseph Shekarchi's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c MacKay, Scott (November 8, 2020). "Commentary: Meet Joe Shekarchi, Speaker-elect". The Public's Radio. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Political Scene: The little-known story of House Speaker Shekarchi's Iranian roots". The Providence Journal. January 2, 2023.
  4. ^ "2012 Statewide Primary, Representative in General Assembly District 23". Providence, Rhode Island: Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  5. ^ "2012 General Election, Representative in General Assembly District 23". Providence, Rhode Island: Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  6. ^ "Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi". Providence, Rhode Island: Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  7. ^ "State of Rhode Island General Assembly". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  8. ^ Anderson, Patrick (November 5, 2020). "Shekarchi secures the votes to become House speaker, replacing Mattiello". The Providence Journal.
  9. ^ Fitzpatrick, Edward (November 5, 2020). "Joe Shekarchi's moment has arrived". The Boston Globe.
[edit]
Rhode Island House of Representatives
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
2017–2021 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
2021–present 		Incumbent
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