RI Senate Confirms Sabina Matos As Lt. Governor

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island officially has a new second-in-command. Sabina Matos' nomination was confirmed by the full Senate Tuesday evening.

Matos will be formally sworn in at a ceremony in the Rhode Island State House Wednesday morning. The building remains closed to the public due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Dan McKee thanked Senate lawmakers for their "swift" action in taking up Matos' confirmation.

"Sabina understands the challenges facing Rhode Island families and she shares my commitment to supporting our municipalities and small businesses," McKee said. "I look forward to having her as my governing partner as we work to get shots in arms as quickly as possible so we can get Rhode Islanders back to work, businesses back in business, and students back in the classroom safely."

Matos' colleagues congratulated her historic confirmation. She will be the first Afro-Latina to served as Rhode Island's lieutenant governor.

"Lt. Governor Matos’ story of hard-work, determination, and success is a true inspiration to every Black and Latino resident in Rhode Island and proves what is possible if one is daring enough to dream of better things," said the RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus in a statement. "As not only our second woman Lt. Governor, but as our state’s first Lt. Governor of color, we as a caucus could not be any more proud of her and this incredible accomplishment and we all are looking forward to working with her to better the lives of Rhode Island’s community of color."

Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea said she looked forward to swearing in Matos as lieutenant governor.

"Congratulations to Sabina Matos on her historic confirmation as Rhode Island’s next Lieutenant Governor," Gorbea said. "Our best public policies come when we have a variety of backgrounds and opinions around the policy-making table, and I look forward to having another woman of color included in these discussions. It will be an honor to swear in Lt. Governor Matos and I look forward to working with her office to strengthen Rhode Island’s economic recovery."

Read more: RI Gov. Dan McKee Names Sabina Matos As Lt. Gov. Nominee