Background
Ruggiero, Deborah was born on April 2, 1958.
Ruggiero, Deborah was born on April 2, 1958.
Bachelor, Boston College.
A Democrat, she serves in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing the 74th district, which contains all of Jamestown and part of Middletown. Ruggiero was first elected in November 2008 and took office on January 6, 2009. In 2008, Ruggiero challenged 28-year incumbent Bruce J. Long (R–Middletown) for the 74th district seat.
In the election held on November 4, 2008, Ruggiero defeated Long by 54% to 46%, carrying each of the district"s six precincts.
She was re-elected in 2010, winning 53% in a three-way race. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Ruggiero went to high school in Lincoln, Rhode Island before attending Boston College, graduating magna cum laude with a double major in English and Communications.
She has spent her career in the media, working first for Columbia Broadcasting System radio in Boston, then for FOX television and WPRI-television for 8 years. Since 2000, she has served as Director of Community and Business Development at Citadel Radio, the owners of WPRO and WPRO-FM. Since 1992, she has also taught a class in Broadcast Advertising at Providence College.
A supporter of Hillary Clinton"s presidential campaign, Ruggiero attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver as an alternate.
Gordon Doctorate. Fox (Doctorate–Providence), Republican Frank Ferri (Doctorate–Warwick) and Senator. Donna Nesselbush (Doctorate–Pawtucket).
Long, a Republican, was the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives and was seeking his fifteenth term. She is one of four openly LGBT members of the Rhode Island General Assembly, alongside Republican