Rep. Edwin Pacheco, D-Burrillville, has been selected as the new chairman of the state Democratic Party.

The Providence Journal / Connie Grosch

PROVIDENCE –– By a unanimous vote, the state’s Democratic Committee chose Rep. Edwin R. Pacheco of Burrillville Friday to replace William J. Lynch as the party chairman.

The 28-year-old lawmaker, who has been the executive director of the nonprofit group Education in Action for the last two years, had been expected to win the chairmanship even before committee members gathered at the Asian Palace restaurant on North Main Street for Friday night’s vote.

“But you never take anything for granted,” he said afterward. “The fact that people came out to show their confidence means a lot to me.”

Pacheco, who has been a member of the General Assembly since 2005, says he does not plan to seek reelection, and will devote his time to getting the Democratic message out so that it can maintain the 1st Congressional District seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, and to ensure the success of other Democratic politicians

“In this day and age, we have to get back to grass-roots politicians and make sure our candidates receive the resources,” he said.

The new chairman will have much to do. Since Lynch announced in February he was leaving the party post to make a run for Kennedy’s seat, the party offices in Pawtucket have largely been vacant as full-time staffers have left for other positions.

Besides finding a new executive director, Pacheco will need to coordinate messaging and fundraising strategy, help smooth party squabbles and serve as the party’s spokesman.

Pacheco had the key support of House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, who recently called him a “talented man” and a “great representative for the party.” While the House speaker does not technically choose the party chairman, the speaker traditionally has a strong voice in the selection.

Pacheco graduated from Burrillville High School in 2001 and the University of Rhode Island in 2005, according to his General Assembly Web site. He served on the Burrillville School Committee from 2001 to 2004, and was chairman during his final year.

Fox also supported Friday’s selection of Jeffrey M. Padwa, a lawyer and co-chairman of President Obama’s Rhode Island finance team, as party treasurer.

With reports

from Randal Edgar

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