Lally Resigns from House, Effective Immediatley

Donald J. Lally Jr. has resigned from the House of Representatives, effective immediatley.

“I have been deliberating on whether or not to continue in my present position as Rhode Island State Representative for District 33. I decided that it is time for me to step down,“ Lally wrote in a formal resignation letter delivered today to Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello.

Lally said that he wants to spend more time with his family and devoted to his legal practice.

“My constituents in Narragansett and South Kingstown deserve to have a representative who has the enthusiasm, energy, commitment, and burning desire to represent them throughout the entire year. This legislative body is not a part-time legislature. It has become a year-round commitment,” Lally said.

Lally has served as a state representative since 1989 and ran unopposed for the District 33 seat last fall, though he earned the nickname “Landslide Lally” over the years for the at-times razor-thin margins with which he held his seat.

“Recently, I lost both of my parents and it led me to reflect upon how important family truly is,” wrote Representative Lally in his resignation letter, saying that at this time he wishes to devote more time to his wife and two children and to his law practice.

“To my fellow members in the House, both past and present, as well as my constituents over all of these years, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve,” Lally said.

Lally ranked second in terms of seniority in the House and was a member of the House leadership team, serving as Speaker Pro Tempore. In the last legislative session, he served as Deputy Speaker of the House and before that, was Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Among the legislation Lally spearheaded during his time in the General Assembly was the strengthening of the state’s breath test refusal laws and the social host law that paved the way for adults to be changed if they allow minors to drink alcohol in their homes.

The rumor is that local Democrats are encouraging Narragansett Town Councilwoman Susan Cicilline-Buonanno to make a run for the District 33 seat.