PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is questioning whether state Rep. Julie Casimiro remains eligible to represent her legislative district after moving to South Carolina.
Neronha sent Casimiro a letter Friday citing the state Constitution and other state law that outline eligibility requirements for public office, including residency requirements.
"Rhode Island law is clear that to hold public office in this state, one must be domiciled here," Neronha wrote in the two-page letter. "By your own recent statements, it appears you no longer are."
Neronha stopped short of saying he would take legal action against Casimiro. He said his office is "currently reviewing the applicable laws and facts to determine what, if any, legal action may be necessary under these circumstances."
He asked Casimiro to respond by the close of business Tuesday.
The North Kingstown Democrat did not immediately respond to a Target 12 request for comment Monday. Casimiro, who has represented District 31 since 2017, previously confirmed that she now lives full time in South Carolina. She has refused to resign before her term ends in January.
Casimiro is not seeking reelection, but she continues to collect a taxpayer-funded salary.
The residency issue was first reported by The Boston Globe.
She earns nearly $800 every two weeks, along with health coverage. She said last week that she has continued helping constituents remotely and was concerned that District 31 residents would not be represented by anyone if she stepped down early.
Under state law, it is too late in the year to call a special election to fill a vacancy in state office.
Casimiro's decision has prompted calls for her resignation from Neronha and state Rep. Jason Knight, a Democrat who is running for attorney general. Neronha is term-limited and will leave office in January.
Helena Foulkes, the frontrunner in the Democratic primary for governor, has been endorsed by Casimiro but said through a spokesperson she agreed.
"Helena appreciates all that Rep. Casimiro has done for Rhode Island and agrees with Speaker Blazejewski that Rep. Casimiro should resign now that she lives in South Carolina and not Rhode Island," said the spokesperson, Angelika Pellegrino.
House Speaker Christopher Blazejewski praised Casimiro last week for her work at the State House but also urged her to "consider resigning her seat."
Eli Sherman ([email protected]) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News and co-hosts Behind the Story. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and Bluesky.
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