Politics & Government
Former Central Falls Mayor James Diossa Finalist For Lt. Governor
The office of Gov. Dan McKee has announced five finalists for the second-in-command position.
CENTRAL FALLS — Former Mayor James Diossa has made the short list for appointment as Rhode Island's next lieutenant governor.
On Wednesday, the office of Gov. Dan McKee announced five finalists for the $122,740 job. More than 80 applicants had originally sought consideration for the position. McKee will now personally interview each of the five and choose his second-in-command.
The other finalists are State Rep. Grace Diaz of Providence, Sen. Louis DiPalma of Middletown. Providence City Council President Sabina Matos, and Democratic Party fundraiser Elizabeth Beretta Perik of Jamestown.
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The winner will complete McKee's 21-month unexpired second term. McKee was the elected lieutenant governor until March 2. That's when he replaced former Gov. Gina Raimondo, who was sworn in as commerce secretary in the Biden administration. Under state law, McKee gets to pick a new lieutenant governor under such circumstances.
Diossa, 35, wrapped up eight years as Central Falls mayor in December, and in January he started work as senior advisor with Brown University's Policy Lab.
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