Donald Carcieri
Donald L. "Don" Carcieri (b. December 16, 1942 in East Greenwich,Rhode Island) is a formerRepublicanGovernor of Rhode Island. He was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. In Rhode Island, governors are not eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms. Carcieri was succeeded byindependentLincoln Chafee, who won in the election held onNovember 2, 2010.
Carcieri was among potential candidates suggested byRepublican Party of Rhode Island chairmanGiovanni Cicione to run against Democratic incumbentSheldon Whitehouse forU.S. Senate in 2012. Carcieri announced in mid-November 2011 that he would not run.[1][2]
Biography
Carcieri is a native of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He attended Brown University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in international relations.[3]
Carcieri started his career as a high school math teacher and later became a banker and businessman. His professional experience includes working as joint managing director for the Cookson Group and CEO of the company's Cookson America subsidiary.[3]
Education
Political career
Governor of Rhode Island (2003-2011)
Carcieri was sworn in as the 73rdGovernor of Rhode Island on January 7, 2003, having won election in November 2002. Carcieri was re-elected in 2006.
He served two terms in office and was succeeded byindependentLincoln Chafee on January 4, 2011.
Issues
Open Records Veto
In July of 2008, Carcieri vetoed S 2963. The bill had been passed by theGeneral Assembly earlier in the year. The bill would have required all state public agencies to certify that staff had been trained in how to properly respond to requests for open records, and that arrest records would be made public within 24 hours.[4]
Medical Marijuana
In 2005, both houses of the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a bill legalizingmedical marijuana. Carcieri vetoed the bill, saying, "This bill will increase the availability of marijuana on the streets of our state." Following the veto, the bill's House sponsor, state Rep.Thomas Slater, said, "The governor has shown no compassion for the people who really need it."[5] In January 2006, theHouse voted to override Carcieri's decision.[6]
Elections
2006
Carcieri won re-election as governor in 2006. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary and faced hisLieutenant Governor, Democrat Charles J. Fogarty, who was prevented byterm limits from seeking re-election as lieutenant governor, in the November general election. Rhode Island is one of 19 states that elects its governor and lieutenant governor separately, rather than on a single party ticket.
- 2006 General
| Governor of Rhode Island, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Charles J. Fogarty | 49% | 189,562 | |
| Republican |  Donald CarcieriIncumbent | 51% | 197,366 | |
| Total Votes | 386,928 | |||
- 2006 Republican Primary
Carcieri ran unopposed in this contest.
2002
Carcieri won the Republican primary against James Bennett, who was endorsed by the state Republican Party. Carcieri defeated Democrat Myrth York, 55% to 45% in the general election to become the 73rdGovernor of Rhode Island.[7]
- 2002 General
| Governor of Rhode Island, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Myrth York | 45.2% | 150,229 | |
| Republican | Donald Carcieri | 54.8% | 181,827 | |
| Total Votes | 332,056 | |||
- 2002 Republican Primary
| Governor of Rhode Island, 2002 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Donald Carcieri | 66.9% | 17,227 |
| James Bennett | 33.1% | 8,518 |
| Total Votes | 25,745 | |
Personal
Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Carcieri and his wife, Suzanne, have four children -- Mathew, Alison, Jill, and Sarah -- and fourteen grandchildren.[8]
See also
External links
- Follow the Money - Donald L Carcieri 2002 and 2006 campaign contributions
- On the Issues - Donald Carcieri Issue positions and quotes
- Project Vote Smart - Governor Donald L. Carcieri (RI) Profile
Footnotes
- ↑Roll Call, "R.I. GOP Still Hopeful Whitehouse Challenger Will Emerge," accessed August 30, 2024
- ↑Boston.com, "Carcieri rules out 2012 Senate race," November 17, 2011
- ↑3.03.13.23.3Building America's Future Education Fund, "Donald Carcieri," accessed May 28, 2021
- ↑Vote Smart, "S 2963 - Access to Public Records - Rhode Island Key Vote," accessed May 28, 2021
- ↑AP News, "Rhode Island Gov. Vetoes Medical Pot Bill," June 29, 2005
- ↑NBC News, "Rhode Island legalizes medical marijuana," January 3, 2006
- ↑Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedriguide - ↑Project Vote Smart, "Governor Donald L. Carcieri Biography," accessed February 4, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lincoln C. Almond | Governor of Rhode Island 2003 - 2011 | Succeeded by Lincoln Chafee |
