PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A state lawmaker is set to lose her leadership position in the Rhode Island House of Representatives after becoming a Republican.
Rep. Karen MacBeth, of Cumberland, announced Monday she’s switched her political affiliation from Democrat to Republican. She will be the 12th GOP member of the Democrat-controlled House.
Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello says the switch means he’ll be replacing her as chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee because it’s a leadership position.
The committee has been investigating the state’s failed 38 Studios deal.
Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Brandon Bell says he’s proud to have MacBeth join the GOP.
MacBeth tells WPRO’s Matt Allen that she was particularly disgusted with the way that the RhodeWorks tolling legislation was handled, and that she might also run as a Republican for Congress against Democratic U.S. Rep. David Cicilline. Listen to MacBeth’s full conversation with Matt Allen below:
