Joe Shekarchi | |
---|---|
224th Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives | |
Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
Deputy | Charlene Lima |
Preceded by | Nicholas Mattiello |
Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives | |
In office January 3, 2017 – January 5, 2021 | |
Preceded by | John DeSimone |
Succeeded by | Christopher Blazejewski |
Member of the
Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 23rd district | |
Assumed office January 1, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Robert Flaherty |
Personal details | |
Born | May 17, 1962 |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Suffolk University ( BA, JD) |
Website | Official website |
Khalil Joseph Shekarchi [1] (born May 17, 1962) is an American politician currently serving as the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. A Democrat, he has represented District 23 in Warwick since January 1, 2013. [2] He was chairman of the House Labor Committee until his Democratic colleagues elected him as the House majority leader in November 2016. [3] After four years as majority leader, his colleagues elected him speaker in November 2020 following the defeat of longtime speaker Nicholas Mattiello. Shekarchi considers himself a moderate Democrat. [4]
Shekarchi earned his bachelor's degree in government from Suffolk University and his Juris Doctor from the Suffolk University Law School. He attended Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island prior to attending Suffolk.
Shekarchi is openly gay. [7] He is the second openly gay speaker of the Rhode Island House, after Gordon Fox.