R.I. Senate confirms former majority leader McCaffrey as state judge – The Boston Globe

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Mathew L. LaMountain, a Warwick Democrat, spoke in support of McCaffrey’s nomination.

“Mr. McCaffrey possesses the experience, the temperament, and the devotion to public service that we seek in our judges,” LaMountain said. “Over the course of his time in the General Assembly, I believe he did more to advance criminal justice reform in the state of Rhode Island than any other single individual who has ever served in these halls.”

Senator Jake Bissaillon, a Providence Democrat and former Senate chief of staff, seconded McCaffrey’s nomination, emphasizing that he spent the bulk of his career as an attorney practicing in District Court. “Despite rumors and innuendo, Michael’s experience most directly aligns with the needs of our justice system in Rhode Island’s District Court,” he said.

Bissaillon said that when McCaffrey chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, he played a key role in creating a veterans treatment court, which connects veterans facing criminal charges with counseling and treatment. And as majority leader, McCaffrey was instrumental in establishing and funding the District Court’s mental health calendar, he said.

“ In between 2011 and 2022, Michael’s work on criminal justice reform was second to none in his chamber,” Bissaillon said.

Senator Dawn Euer, a Newport Democrat, voted against McCaffrey’s nomination, saying his appointment was “a return to politics as usual, where connections matter more than merit and transparency.”

“Unfortunately, his appointment underscores a hard truth: historic efforts to create a merit-based judicial selection system are failing,” she said.

Euer emphasized that state courts wield immense power over daily life, deciding who stays housed through eviction calendars, who is protected through restraining orders, and who can vote.

“The integrity and independence of those courts cannot be treated as a political afterthought, and appointments should not be treated as a political bargaining chip,” she said. “As we face attacks on rule of law, democracy, and civil rights at the federal level, our state courts will be the frontlines protecting Rhode Islanders.”

Senator Samuel W. Bell, a Providence Democrat, voted for McCaffrey’s nomination although he had voted against McCaffrey as a Senate leader in the past because of his conservative views on abortion, LGBTQ rights, and guns.

Bell suggested that McCaffrey’s views on those issues have evolved over time, and he said, “There are two areas where he has always had solid progressive views, even when the rest of his views were much more conservative, and those just happen to be criminal justice and civil law.”

Bell said many of his constituents are concerned McCaffrey could some day become a Rhode Island Supreme Court justice. “It was very important to my constituents that when we get a Supreme Court nominee, they not only be willing to express support for LGBTQ rights and abortion rights, but actually be willing to demonstrate (that support).”

Besides Euer, those voting against McCaffrey were Democratic Senators Jonathon Acosta of Central Falls, Meghan E. Kallman of Pawtucket, Tiara T. Mack of Providence, Linda L. Ujifusa of Portsmouth, Bridget Valverde of North Kingstown, Lammis J. Vargas of Cranston, and Samuel D. Zurier of Providence.

Senator Walter S. Felag Jr., a Warren Democrat, recused himself from the vote because McCaffrey has represented him as an attorney. Senators Ryan W. Pearson, a Cumberland Democrat, and Senator Victoria Gu, a Westerly Democrat, were not present for the vote.

On Jan. 28, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13 to 1 to recommend McCaffrey’s confirmation, with Euer casting the lone “no” vote.

In 2022, McCaffrey announced he would not seek reelection after 28 years in the Senate. At the time, he was seen as a potential successor to then-Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, who died in April.

McCaffrey served as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman before becoming Senate majority leader. He has been a practicing lawyer since 1989 and is now a partner in the McCaffrey & McCaffrey law firm in Warwick.

By a vote of 35 to 1, the Senate also confirmed Shannon G. Signore for the state Superior Court seat left vacant by the retirement of Judge Daniel A. Procaccini. Senator Tiara Mack, a Providence Democrat, cast the lone “no” vote.

Signore has worked in the state attorney general’s office since 2002, and is now an assistant attorney general in the Special Victims Unit. She was a 2016 Beau Biden Foundation Fellow, and was recognized with the Crime Victim Service Award in 2019.

By a vote of 36 to 0, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Family Court Magistrate Alberto Aponte Cardona Sr. for the Family Court judgeship left vacant by the retirement of Judge Patricia K. Asquith.

Cardona was the first Latino appointed to the Family Court bench in 2019, and previously served as commissioner of the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. He was an associate justice in the Central Falls Municipal Court.

By a vote of 35 to 1, the Senate also confirmed the nomination of Family Court Magistrate Andrea Iannazzi for the Family Court judgeship left vacant by the retirement of Judge Debra E. DiSegna. Senator Samuel W. Bell, a Providence Democrat, cast the lone “no” vote.

Iannazzi has been presiding over domestic, child welfare, juvenile justice, and child support cases. She previously worked as a staff lawyer and mediator in the Rhode Island Family Court system, and served on the Cranston School Committee for a decade. She was deputy executive counsel to former governor Gina M. Raimondo.

Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.