PROVIDENCE – John M. Marion Jr., an educator and political scientist “with a deep knowledge of the issues and dynamics of state and national politics,” will succeed Christine Lopes as executive director of Common Cause / Rhode Island, the watchdog group said today.
For the past eight years, Marion has taught American government at Indiana University, first at the main campus in Bloomington and Indiana University-South Bend, and since moving to Rhode Island in 2001, as an online instructor with the university’s School of Continuing Studies.
A graduate of Binghamton University in New York, he pursued graduate studies in political science at both Binghamton and Indiana University, where his research focused on state politics, policy and administration; elections, campaign finance and candidate behavior; and the role of non-governmental institutions in elections. Additional information is available from his personal site at mypage.iu.edu.
“John Marion will provide a strong voice for Rhode Island’s citizens,” Kevin McAllister, president of the watchdog group’s state governing board, said in a statement today.
“His energy and grasp of the workings of government will make him an effective spokesperson and advocate for Common Cause R.I.,” McAllister said. “Under his leadership, Common Cause R.I. will continue to fight for the implementation of the Separation of Powers amendment; a strong Ethics Commission; clean elections; and open, accountable governance in the executive, legislative and judicial branches.”
Marion lives in Providence with his wife, Dr. Karen Ng, a physician at Providence Community Health Centers, and their twin daughters.
He succeeds Christine Lopes, who has led the local chapter of Common Cause since she replaced Phil West in 2006. Lopes announced in September that she would step down this month to complete her master’s degree in public administration at Suffolk University in Boston. (READ MORE)
Lopes isn’t due to depart until Dec. 31, but Marion started work at Common Cause this Monday, “so we’re having and unofficial transition period,” he told Providence Business News in an e-mail interview.
Common Cause/Rhode Island, founded in 1970 is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting open, ethical, accountable and effective government. It is the state chapter of the national Common Cause. Additional information – including the group’s 2008 Rhode Island Legislative Scorecard, with a complete list of votes evaluated – is available at www.CommonCauseRI.org.
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