Sabina Matos Ceremonially Sworn In As Rhode Island's Lt. Gov

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island marked a historic milestone Sunday, officially welcoming the state's first woman of color to the role of lieutenant governor. Sabina Matos, the former president of the Providence City Council, is only the second woman in the state's history to hold the position.

Matos took her oath of office in a small, socially distant ceremony on April 14. On Sunday, a larger, open-air ceremony was held on the State House steps, allowing state leaders and the public to welcome the new lieutenant governor.

"As the 70th lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, I vow to support every single resident of our great state," Matos said. "I pledge to make working here, living here, getting educated here, and opening a business here easier and accessible. Not just for those that have the means or connections, but for all Rhode Islanders. I ask you to join me in the hard work that lies ahead, and now it is time to get back to work."

Matos had an unusual road to the state house. After former Gov. Gina Raimondo became the U.S. Commerce Secretary and stepped down, then-Lt. Gov. Dan McKee assumed the top job, leaving a vacancy for second-in-command. She was selected from a pool of dozens of candidates, chosen by McKee's office and, later, confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate.

"Sabina knows how to govern. She knows how to lead," McKee said. "Most importantly, she knows how to bring people together to get the job done. I am thrilled to have her on our team."

Unlike previous governors and lieutenant governors, Matos and McKee have established that they will work together, as a team, to steer the state through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. On Sunday, he tweeted a photo of he and Matos fist bumping, with the caption "one team."

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