Dan McKee explained

Dan McKee
Order:76th
Lieutenant:Sabina Matos
Term Start:March 2, 2021
Predecessor:Gina Raimondo
Office1:Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
Governor1:Gina Raimondo
Term Start1:January 6, 2015
Term End1:March 2, 2021
Predecessor1:Elizabeth Roberts
Successor1:Sabina Matos
Office3:Mayor of Cumberland
Term Start4:January 2001
Term End4:January 2005
Predecessor4:Frank Gaschen
Successor4:David Iwuc
Term Start3:January 7, 2007
Term End3:January 6, 2015
Predecessor3:David Iwuc
Successor3:William Murray
Birth Name:Daniel J. McKee
Birth Date:16 June 1951
Birth Place:Cumberland, Rhode Island, U.S.
Spouse:Susan McGill
Children:2
Party:Democratic
Education:Assumption University (BA)
Harvard University (MPA)
Office5:Member of the Cumberland Town Council
Term Start5:1992
Term End5:1998
Office:Governor of Rhode Island
Order1:69th
Website:Government website

Daniel J. McKee (born June 16, 1951) is an American politician and businessman serving as the 76th governor of Rhode Island since 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served as Rhode Island's 69th lieutenant governor from 2015 to 2021.

Born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, McKee received his undergraduate degree from Assumption College and received his master's degree from the Harvard Kennedy School. He served on the Cumberland town council from 1992 to 1998 and as mayor of Cumberland twice, from 2000 to 2004 and from 2006 until 2014.[1] McKee was elected lieutenant governor in 2014 and reelected in 2018. When Governor Gina Raimondo resigned upon being confirmed as United States Secretary of Commerce in 2021, McKee ascended to the governorship.[2] He was elected to a full term in 2022.

Early life and education

McKee's family has owned and operated small businesses in northern Rhode Island for over 100 years. After graduating from Cumberland High School, McKee received a Bachelor of Arts in education and political science from Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1973. He earned a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2005.[3]

Early career

McKee was an officer of McKee Brothers, a heating, air conditioning, and home heating oil delivery business his grandfather founded.[4] He also ran a health and fitness business for more than 30 years.[4]

During his time on the Cumberland, Rhode Island Town Council (1992–1998), McKee was also a basketball coach, coaching groups of boys and girls at all levels, culminating in two State AAU Basketball Champions in 1998 and 2000.

McKee served six terms as Cumberland's mayor. He worked with state and federal officials in the aftermath of Cumberland's spring flooding to minimize damage and steered Cumberland through an economic downturn.

In 2008, McKee worked with mayors across the state to pass a law allowing the creation of new, regional, mayor-governed and highly autonomous public schools known as “Mayoral Academies.” In 2009 and 2010, he again helped organize mayors and education advocates to enact a new education funding policy.

McKee has been a member of the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland-Lincoln for over 25 years, serving as past president of the executive board and chair of the endowment committee.[5]

Lieutenant governor of Rhode Island

In 2013, McKee announced his candidacy for Rhode island lieutenant governor, defeating Secretary of State of Rhode Island Ralph Mollis and State Representative Frank Ferri in the Democratic primary.[6] In the general election, he defeated Republican Catherine Terry Taylor, a legislative aide and speechwriter for U.S. Senators John Chafee and Lincoln Chafee,[7] with 54.3% of the vote. He was reelected in 2018.[8]

On January 7, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden selected then Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo as Secretary of Commerce. Since McKee was next in line of succession, he would become governor once Raimondo was confirmed by the United States Senate. Raimondo was confirmed on March 2, 2021, and submitted her resignation as governor shortly after.[9]

In February 2021, McKee began to form a COVID-19 advisory board.[10] He had criticized the Raimondo administration over a slow COVID-19 vaccine rollout.[11]

Governor of Rhode Island

McKee was sworn in as the 76th governor of Rhode Island on March 2, 2021.[12]

On February 22, 2022, McKee announced that he was running for reelection to a full four-year term.[13] He won the September 13 Democratic primary, defeating four challengers in a close race. He defeated Republican nominee Ashley Kalus in the general election.[14]

Response to the COVID-19 pandemic (2021–2022)

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, McKee said his main priority was to advance COVID-19 vaccine rollout and contain the outbreak.[15] By July 4, Rhode Island had fully vaccinated over 633,000 people, 70% of its eligible adult population.[16] It was the fifth state to reach that milestone. Also in July, McKee terminated the state mask mandate, but extended the COVID-19 emergency declaration to August 6, citing the prevalence of the highly transmissible Delta variant.[17]

On February 8, 2022, McKee announced that Rhode Island would lift mask mandates as the infection rate fell.

Statewide reclassification of drug possession charges

In September 2021, McKee signed legislation that reclassified simple possession of 10 grams or less of certain controlled substances as a misdemeanor rather than a felony in Rhode Island. He signed the legislation at Project Weber/RENEW's office.[18]

Gun control

McKee supports gun control and says he would support an assault weapons ban.[19]

Personal life

McKee is married to Susan McGill; the couple has two children and one granddaughter.

Electoral history

Governor

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cumberland Mayor McKee announces bid for R.I. lieutenant governor. Edgar. Randal. providencejournal.com. en. November 21, 2019.
  2. Web site: Anderson. Katherine Gregg and Patrick. Raimondo resigns after winning Senate confirmation as U.S. commerce secretary; McKee sworn in as RI governor. 2021-03-12. The Providence Journal. en-US.
  3. Web site: Dan McKee's Biography. Vote Smart. September 26, 2022.
  4. News: Edgar . Randal . August 24, 2014 . Democrats in R.I. lieutenant governor race put economy first . . Providence, RI.
  5. Web site: Daniel McKee's file. November 21, 2019. @politifact. en.
  6. Web site: Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014. Ballotpedia. en. November 21, 2019.
  7. Web site: FirstWorks Names Taylor President of Board. ChrisS. GoLocalProv. en. November 21, 2019.
  8. Web site: Lt. Gov. McKee wins re-election. November 7, 2018. WPRI.com. en-US. November 21, 2019.
  9. Web site: Biden's Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, Confirmed By Senate. NPR.org. March 2, 2021 . March 3, 2021. Wang . Hansi Lo .
  10. Web site: McKee names COVID advisory board. Boston Globe. February 3, 2021.
  11. Web site: McKee criticizes Raimondo administration over vaccine rollout. February 15, 2021 . WPRI. 3 March 2021.
  12. Web site: Raimondo resigns after winning Senate confirmation as U.S. commerce secretary; McKee sworn in as RI governor. Katherine. Gregg. Patrick. Anderson. The Providence Journal. March 3, 2021.
  13. Web site: 2022-02-22 . Gov. McKee launches campaign for a full term, flanked by mayors . 2022-09-14 . WPRI.com . en-US.
  14. News: Ulloa . Jazmine . 2022-09-14 . McKee, Rhode Island's Appointed Governor, Wins Democratic Nomination to Run for Seat . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-09-14 . 0362-4331.
  15. Web site: RI Lt. Gov. Says Speeding Up Vaccine Distribution Is His 'Top Priority'. February 16, 2021 . NECN. March 3, 2021.
  16. News: Rhode Island reaches 70% COVID vaccination rate . 10 July 2021 . Associated Press . MassLive . https://web.archive.org/web/20210710140933/https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2021/07/rhode-island-reaches-70-covid-vaccination-rate.html . 10 July 2021. 3 July 2021.
  17. News: Anderson . Patrick . Governor McKee extends emergency, 3 additional cases of delta variant in RI . 10 July 2021 . The Providence Journal . 9 July 2021.
  18. Web site: 2021-09-28 . Governor McKee signs legislation reclassifying certain drug possession charges . 2023-02-07 . ABC6 . en-US.
  19. Web site: Assault weapons ban, safe storage bills held for further study by R.I. Judiciary Committee . 18 April 2023 . 45.