Carcieri signs into law new Senate map

06.08.2004 3:17 P.M.

The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE , R.I. (AP) - Gov. Don Carcieri on Tuesday signed into law a Senate map redrawn to increase minority representation in the capital city.

The changes affect 12 districts - nearly one-third of all seats in the chamber. They follow a two-year legal battle that ended with a settlement last month. Several minority organizations had claimed the state's 2002 redistricting plan was unfair to black voters on Providence's South Side.

"A wrong was made right, inclusion was enhanced," said Harold Metts, a plaintiff in the case.

The most significant change for minority leaders is in the Providence district represented by Democrat Juan Pichardo, the state's first and only Hispanic senator. In the last election, he beat incumbent Charles Walton, who was Rhode Island's first and only black senator.

The new map would put Walton, if he runs again, in a different district than Pichardo. Each district would have a high concentration of minority voters.

Walton, who served 18 years in the Senate, has said he plans to run again. He wouldn't make a formal announcement on Tuesday.

"In some ways I still feel like I am walking on air," he said, referring to the settlement.

Pichardo is the only minority member in the 38-seat Senate.

Ten Democratic incumbents whose districts are being redrawn agreed to the changes. Two other districts whose senators resigned earlier this year amid questions about their business dealings also will change.

Senate leaders and representatives from several minority groups attended the bill-signing ceremony at the Statehouse.

"We are no longer invisible," said Clifford Montiero, president of the Providence chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.