Sen. Roger A. Picard announces he will not run for re-election

Sen. Roger A. Picard announced recently that, after over three decades of service in the General Assembly, he will not run for re-election this year.

“To say it has been an honor to represent my neighbors for so long sounds clichéd, but it has been that and so much more. Representing the people of Woonsocket and Cumberland has given me opportunities to have conversations with thousands of people over the years, and what stands out to me is just how much I’ve learned from listening to the perspectives of others. Our world, our state and our community are made up of an infinite variety of people, each with their own experiences and valid points of view, and it’s been a unique pleasure serving in a role where people want to share their stories and viewpoints with me. I will forever be grateful to my constituents and all the other Rhode Islanders who have taught me so much, and made serving as their legislator so fulfilling for so long,” said Senator Picard.

Senator Picard, a Democrat, has served in both chambers of the General Assembly, having been first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992. He represented

Woonsocket, first in District 66, then in District 51 after the downsizing and redistricting of the legislature in 2002. In April 2008, following the death of Sen. Roger Badeau, he was elected to the Senate to represent District 20 in Woonsocket and Cumberland.

He served as a deputy majority leader in both chambers, and was chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee from 2013 until he was elected as the chamber’s deputy president pro tempore in 2021.

Throughout his legislative career, Senator Picard has championed efforts to strengthen small business, education and workforce development. Years before the pandemic, he sponsored the legislation that enabled schools to use virtual learning on days when classes could not take place in person. Laws he introduced now require life insurers to make a good faith effort to track down beneficiaries who do not claim benefits, allow Rhode Islanders to add in-law apartments to their homes for senior relatives, and protect consumers by requiring security cameras at bank night deposit boxes. He has worked to increase education funding for his community, and has successfully passed legislation strengthening local institutions such as Landmark Medical Center and the Stadium Theatre.

“I have wrestled with this decision for a long time, and I know I will very deeply miss representing this district and serving alongside my colleagues in the Senate. But I also believe that there is opportunity in change, and I am hopeful that whoever serves next will bring energy and ideas that will strengthen our community and all of Rhode Island,” said Senator Picard.

By day, Senator Picard is a social worker at Woonsocket

public schools. He is a lifelong Woonsocket resident and a 1975 graduate of Woonsocket High School. He holds two bachelor’s degrees from University of Rhode Island, a master’s of social work from Rhode Island College, and a master’s in theological studies from Providence College. He and his wife, Diane, have three adult daughters, Nicole, Kristen and Caitlyn.

Senator Picard said retiring from the legislature will afford him more free time to enjoy in his hometown, where he is a communicant of St. Joseph Church and an active community member.