Speaker Shekarchi appoints Rep. McEntee as chairwoman of House Judiciary Committee

McEntee replaces Bob Craven after Craven’s aborted AG campaign

Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett) has been appointed by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi as the new chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee. She has served as the committee’s first vice-chair for the last several legislative sessions.

“It is a tremendous honor to be appointed as the new Judiciary chair, and I thank Speaker Shekarchi and my House colleagues for having faith in me to lead this important committee. At a time when countless rights are being trampled upon and disregarded, the House Judiciary Committee stands as a crucial line of defense for all Rhode Islanders and that will not change. I look forward to working with other members of the committee and the entire House of Representatives to ensure that the people of Rhode Island are cared for, supported and protected,” said Chairwoman McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).

EDITOR'S NOTE: South Kingstown representative Carol Hagen McEntee replaces long-time Charlestown assistant solicitor Bob Craven after Bob's four-day long disastrous campaign for Attorney General revealed issues about his past legal problems that made his candidacy untenable. In addition to ending his campaign, Bob also resigned as Judiciary Committee chair, the position McEntee is filling, and declared he is not seeking re-election.  - Will Collette

 “Chairwoman McEntee’s work on the Judiciary Committee during my time as Speaker has been nothing short of exemplary, and I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead this important committee. As one of the House’s leading voices to protect and deliver justice for victims of childhood sexual abuse, she truly understands how this committee helps and protects the people of Rhode Island, and I have no doubt that her dedication and compassion will continue to serve all Rhode Islanders well as the Judiciary Committee’s new chairwoman,” said Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).

First elected in June 2015, Representative McEntee is an attorney, licensed in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, practicing at McEntee and McEntee in Wakefield and Warwick. She is a former Special Assistant Attorney General in Rhode Island and a former assistant city solicitor and prosecutor for the city of Warwick.

Speaker Shekarchi has also elevated Rep. Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) from second vice chair to first vice chair, and Rep. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) to second vice chair.