State GOP Chairman Willing to Step Aside

State GOP Chairman Willing to Step Aside

State GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione has told GoLocalProv he is looking for someone to replace him when his term expires early next year—adding that he has yet to make a final decision about whether he’ll run.

“I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet,” Cicione said. “If I can find someone who steps up and continues the same internal process we have developed over the last four years I am happy to hand the reins over.”

Points to Young Republicans, Tea Party

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Cicione did not name anyone he was eyeing for his replacement—but he did point to one group that he said could provide new energy for the party: the Rhode Island Young Republicans. “The leadership in that group are working to take a more active role in the state party,” Cicione said. “I’m encouraging that.” Travis Rowley, chairman of the Young Republicans, declined to comment on what role the group might play in the election of a new chairman.

Cicione also pointed to the Tea Party as another group that might pump in new blood. “I want the Tea Party … who worked so hard, to consider this party theirs,” Cicione said.

He said he is also recommending that the party institute a salary for its new chairman. Cicione, who has served since 2007, has not taken one. Paying the new chairman, he said, will help the party build a stronger organization. “I think that’s really the only way to take it to the next level," he said. 

He added: “The party can’t run effectively as a one-man or one-woman operation. It has to be more than that."

Change in national leadership too

On Friday, Cicione also called for a change in leadership in the national Republican Party, saying he would not back Chairman Michael Steele for re-election, according to 630 WPRO, a GoLocalProv media partner.

Cicione says Steele did not do enough to help Republicans in Democratic-dominated states like Rhode Island. In the election earlier this month, Republicans did not win a single statewide or Congressional seat and made only modest gains in the General Assembly.