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Shekarchi weighs ‘free pass’ bid for Congress

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“It’s a free pass.”

K. Joseph Shekarchi was talking about the appeal of running for the First Congressional District seat now that David Cicilline has announced he will step down in May to assume the position of president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.

Shekarchi didn’t need to explain. Although he lives in Warwick and the Second Congressional District, he can run for CD1 that covers the East Bay, a chunk of Providence and Pawtucket. Most appealing, however, the Warwick Representative who has ascended to the Speaker of the House and has amassed the largest campaign fund of any Rhode Island official at $1.7 million could run without stepping down from his current seat – “a free pass.”

So, will he run?

“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Shekarchi said Monday following a change of zone hearing before the Warwick City Council. An attorney, who focuses on development and land use issues, Shekarchi was  representing a developer seeking approval of a zone change to enable the construction of 21 condos on Centerville Road.  The council unanimously approved the change in zone.

So, what is Shekarchi hearing?

He said according to his count, 17 Democrats are considering a run for the seat.

Yet, another surprise leaked from the conversation.

Shekarchi has a fundraiser planned for March 8.

Where?

“Washington, I’ll send you the invitation.”

The event is scheduled for the Laborer’s International Headquarters  from 6 to 8 p.m.  Suggested contributions range from $250 to $1,000. And then there is the kicker: the invitation lists special guests as Senator Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen David Cicilline and Seth Magaziner.

Shekarchi, congress

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  • MikkeyDee

    Just another Cicilline...total shill for the unions and taxpayers earnings being confiscated to support those who can't or won't compete...Yes sirree....still dodging the same potholes that were there when I was goig to high school 60 years ago...per capita state budget spending in RI....approx $12,900...MA...$7,700...CT...$7,400....We have worse roads ...way worse school performance and has Shekarchi ever addressed any of it...nah...can't offer competition instead of unionism...nothing has ever gotten worse with the benefit of competition...but no...keep the union control shutting out parental choice...i.e.....he's just another dem loser for the majority of RI residents

    Monday, March 6, 2023 Report this