The Rhode Island House of Representatives elected Rep. Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) its speaker yesterday.

Mattiello replaces Gordon Fox, who resigned on Saturday, March 22, following police raids of Fox’s office and home on Friday. According to his press release, Mattiello, a representative for the last seven years, announced to his fellow lawmakers that “[t]here will be a much greater emphasis on collaboration in the decision-making process among everyone in this room, Democrats and Republicans alike.”