Rep. Kazarian elected House Majority Whip

State House – Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence) was elected to the position of House Majority Whip last night at a virtual House Democratic caucus. The Majority Whip is the third-highest ranking position within the Rhode Island House of Representatives and Whip Kazarian is only the second woman to hold the position.

Whip Kazarian will work closely as part of the Democratic Leadership Team headed by Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski.

“To say this is a tremendous honor would be an understatement and I thank Speaker Shekarchi, Leader Blazejewski, and my colleagues in the House for their votes of confidence in my ability to be the new House Whip. Our state is facing significant challenges over the course of this year and I am eager to work with my fellow legislators in order to set Rhode Island on a path to recovery,” said Whip Kazarian.

First elected in 2013, she has a strong background in the tech field, having previously worked at both Upserve and Virgin Pulse, and was previously a Senior Planner for the City of Pawtucket. Whip Kazarian received a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and economics from Columbia University’s Barnard College and was inspired to run for office by President Barack Obama’s commencement address to her graduating class in 2012.