PROVIDENCE – Central Falls Rep. Shelby Maldonado is relocating to New York City to become the Hispanic outreach director of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). She has resigned the District 56 seat in the House of Representatives, which she has held since January 2015, effective immediately, according to a statement issued by the House.
A second-year student at Roger Williams University School of Law, Maldonado intends to transfer to a New York law school.
Her seat in the General Assembly will be filled in a special election to be scheduled by the Secretary of State’s office.
“I have enjoyed representing the city of Central Falls, a community where I have lived my entire life and the people have given me so many opportunities,” said Maldonado, a Democrat, in a statement. “I thank my House colleagues for taking in Central Falls as part of their agenda and enabling me to be an effective legislator on behalf of the community. From our previous difficult times in receivership, the city is moving forward in a very positive direction.”
Maldonado, 32, is a graduate of Central Falls High School and the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in political science and communication studies. She served in the Peace Corps in Africa following her graduation, and her political career began as a member of the Central Falls City Council in 2014.
She will be leaving her current job as the director of communications for the United Association of Local 51 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union.
“I am privileged to have the opportunity to work with her in the House of Representatives,” Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello said in a statement. “She is a wonderful person and a great advocate for her community and the state. It is no surprise that someone of her talent has obtained such an exciting career opportunity. I wish her much success and we will miss her.”
Representative Maldonado was named a deputy majority leader in January 2019. She is the second vice chairwoman of the House Committee on Municipal Government and is a member of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare; the House Committee on Small Business and the House Committee on Special Legislation.
The mission of AIPAC, according to its website, is “to strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel.”