Joe Shekarchi
224th Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
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
Assumed office
January 1, 2013
Preceded byRobert Flaherty
Personal details
Born (1962-05-17) May 17, 1962 (age 61)
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSuffolk University (BA, JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

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]

Education

Shekarchi 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

Personal

Shekarchi is openly gay.[7] He is the second openly gay speaker of the Rhode Island House, after Gordon Fox.

References

  1. ^ "Joseph Shekarchi's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  2. ^ "Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi". Providence, Rhode Island: Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  3. ^ "State of Rhode Island General Assembly". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
  4. ^ Anderson, Patrick (2020-11-05). "Shekarchi secures the votes to become House speaker, replacing Mattiello". The Providence Journal.
  5. ^ "2012 Statewide Primary, Representative in General Assembly District 23". Providence, Rhode Island: Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  6. ^ "2012 General Election, Representative in General Assembly District 23". Providence, Rhode Island: Secretary of State of Rhode Island. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  7. ^ Fitzpatrick, Edward (2020-11-05). "Joe Shekarchi's moment has arrived". The Boston Globe.

External links

Rhode Island House of Representatives Preceded byJohn DeSimone Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives 2017–2021 Succeeded byChristopher Blazejewski Political offices Preceded byNicholas Mattiello Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives 2021–present Incumbent


Speakers of U.S. lower houses
Current members of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
Statewide political officials of Rhode Island
Categories