Raimondo continues making nominations on her way out the door

Gov. Gina Raimondo nominated her former legislative director to a Superior Court judgeship on Friday as she prepares to leave office, while several top aides announced they were leaving her administration.

David Cruise, a former state senator and aide to the chief of staff to Gov. Bruce Sundlun before his stint in Raimondo's office, was Raimondo's choice for a lifetime spot on the Superior Court bench. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Judge Bennett Gallo, who retired last February from the $170,545 a year post.

Cruise is also a second cousin and longtime friend of Lt. Gov. Dan McKee, who is set to become governor when Raimondo is sworn in as U.S. commerce secretary.

The Judicial Nominating Commission selected Cruise, then-Superior Court Magistrate Richard Raspallo and lawyer R. Bart Totten for Raimondo to choose from in October. Raspallo has since filled a separate opening on the bench.

Read more: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2021/02/12/raimondo-continues-making-nominations-her-way-out-door/6746129002/