McKee to release names of Lt. governor applicants after all – The Providence Journal

Katherine Gregg|The Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE On second thought, Lt. Gov. Dan McKee has decided to release the names of the 60 or so people seeking appointment as his replacement when Gov. Gina Raimondo leaves and he moves up.

On Thursday, McKee communications director Andrea Palagi told the media the lieutenant governor would not release the names of all 62 applicantsfor appointment, by McKee, that are being vetted by an advisory group headed by Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena.

"The transition is reviewing the submissions and verifying the authenticity of each application. The transition plans to release a list of candidates who are interviewed for the position,'' Palagi said.

That did not sit well in a state thatelects its lieutenant governors, by popular vote, except in the rare circumstance where the job opens mid-term, as is about to happen now with Raimondo's imminent departure for a cabinet post in Washington, and McKee's ascension.

The $122,740-a-year job comes with few statutory responsibilities, but a State House office, a$1,145,231 budget and sevenstaffers.

Facing pushback from the Rhode Island media and radio talk show nation, the McKee team announced a new and different plan on Friday.

Transition spokesman Mike Trainor announced that McKee had "directed his transition team to authenticate each of the more than 60 applications from individuals who are interested in becoming the next lieutenant governor.

"Calls will be made to each applicant to ensure the application is valid and was submitted with their knowledge. Once the authentication process is complete, the transition team will release the names of all validated applicants the team expects this will occur early next week."

Trainor said: "The incoming governor believes this process should be transparent; the delay is only based upon ensuring a valid list is provided to the public and the media."

He also said: "The incoming governor is laser-focused on the COVID-19 response and vaccine rollout. He will address filling the lieutenant governors position after he is sworn in as governor."

There is no firm date yet on when the U.S. Senate will vote on Raimondo's nomination to become commerce secretary. The Rhode Island Constitution bars her from holding state and federal office at the same time so she will have to resign her Rhode Island job before being sworn in to her new federal job.

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McKee to release names of Lt. governor applicants after all - The Providence Journal