Khalil Joseph Shekarchi[1] (born May 17, 1962) is an American politician currently serving as the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. A Democrat, he has represented District 23 in Warwick since January 1, 2013.[2] He was chairman of the House Labor Committee until his Democratic colleagues elected him as the House majority leader in November 2016.[3] 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.[4]
Joe Shekarchi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 224th Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Deputy | Charlene Lima |
| Preceded by | Nicholas Mattiello |
| Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | John DeSimone |
| Succeeded by | Christopher Blazejewski |
| Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 23rd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Flaherty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1962 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Suffolk University (BA, JD) |
| Website | Official website |
Education
editShekarchi earned his bachelor's degree in government from Suffolk University and his Juris Doctor from the Suffolk University Law School. He attended Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island prior to attending Suffolk.
Elections
edit- 2012 When incumbent District 23 Democratic Representative Robert Flaherty failed to qualify for the ballot, Shekarchi was unopposed for the September 11, 2012, Democratic Primary, winning with 536 votes[5] and won the November 6, 2012, General election with 4,302 votes (67.9%) against Republican nominee John Falkowski.[6]
Personal
editShekarchi is openly gay.[7] He is the second openly gay speaker of the Rhode Island House, after Gordon Fox.
References
edit- ^ "Joseph Shekarchi's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ^ "Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi". Providence, Rhode Island: Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ^ "State of Rhode Island General Assembly". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
- ^ Anderson, Patrick (2020-11-05). "Shekarchi secures the votes to become House speaker, replacing Mattiello". The Providence Journal.
- ^ "2012 Statewide Primary, Representative in General Assembly District 23". Providence, Rhode Island: Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ^ "2012 General Election, Representative in General Assembly District 23". Providence, Rhode Island: Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Edward (2020-11-05). "Joe Shekarchi's moment has arrived". The Boston Globe.
External links
edit- Official page at the Rhode Island General Assembly
- Campaign site
- Profile at Vote Smart
- K. Joseph Shekarchi at Ballotpedia
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