RI GOP Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere Retiring

PROVIDENCE, RI — Dennis Algiere, the longtime Rhode Island Senate Minority Leader, is retiring and will not seek re-election in November, according to the state's Republican Party,

Algiere, 61, of Westerly, was first elected in 1992 and has served as the Republican senate leader since 1997.

"The Rhode Island Republican Party would like to thank Senate Minority Leader Dennis L. Algiere for his leadership and dedication to improving the lives of Rhode Islanders throughout his three-decade career," a spokesperson for the state's Republican Party said in a statement Thursday. "He set the foundation for senate Republicans and has led the caucus tirelessly. We wish him the best in this next chapter of his life and look forward to electing senators that share the same vision for a better Rhode Island."

Just two sitting senators have served in the chamber longer than Algiere: Sen. President Dominick Ruggerior, elected in 1984, and Sen. Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin, elected in 1986. Both are Democrats.

Algiere is one of just five Republicans in the 38-meber senate.

"Our commitment to increasing Republican participation in the senate is unwavering," the state Republican Party said in a statement.