Rhode Island’s two most powerful legislative leaders, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, said Wednesday they support Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar.
Mattiello switched his support after Joe Biden’s lackluster performance in the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary. Klobuchar has new momentum after finishing third in the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, behind Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg.
“Interestingly enough, I was a Biden supporter, but I think he’s not doing as well as I would have hoped,” Mattiello said during the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative lunch at the Rhode Island Convention Center.
“So in light of that, Amy Klobuchar is coming up,” Mattiello continued. “I like her a lot. I’m very supportive of her – very strong woman, very bright woman. And I think she could stand up and really represent the country well.”
Ruggerio recently told the Providence Journal that he was choosing between Biden and Klobuchar. At the chamber event, he said his support is now with Klobuchar.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo last week became the first governor to endorse Mike Bloomberg.
Rhode Island House Majority Leader Joe Shekarchi remains a supporter of Peter Buttigieg, while Senate Majority Leader Michael McCaffrey said he is sticking with Warwick.
On the GOP side, Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere said he is backing President Trump.
Asked about his choice, House Minority Leader Blake Filippi said, “Tulsi Gabbard, because of her perspective on war and peace. And if not her, Donald Trump because he’s not a globalist. He believes in strong nation-states.”
More than 700 business leaders, politicians and lobbyists attended the chamber lunch.
Rhode Island’s presidential primary is April 28.
