Rhode Island Senator’s Staff Lacks Diversity

Senate Democrats’ Diversity Study Reveals Surprising Findings

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D., R.I.), a self-proclaimed champion of racial justice, has recently faced criticism for his membership in an all-white beach club. However, a report prepared by his Democrat colleagues has now shed light on another surprising revelation – Whitehouse has one of the whitest offices in the Senate.

According to the report, only 22 percent of Whitehouse’s office identifies as a race other than white. Out of nearly 30 staff members, only 2 individuals identify as black, with one of them being Whitehouse’s chief of staff. This hiring decision came after a Washington Free Beacon report exposed the lack of diversity in Whitehouse’s senior staff.

The data comes from the Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative’s sixth-annual staff survey, which was released shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in college admissions. The initiative, initiated by former Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) in 2007, aims to create a Senate staff that reflects the diversity of the nation and represents the constituents they serve.

Whitehouse has long faced scrutiny for his membership at an exclusive all-white beach club in Newport, Rhode Island. Despite claiming to work towards equality for all Americans, Whitehouse transferred his membership to his wife after pledging to terminate it in 2006.

When confronted about the club’s lack of diversity, Whitehouse responded that he would address the issue privately. However, there is little evidence to suggest any significant changes in the club’s racial composition.

Interestingly, only four other Democratic senators employ fewer minorities than Whitehouse, including Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (Wisc.), Angus King (Maine), and Joe Manchin (W. Va.), who has the whitest Senate office.

Whitehouse, with his extensive family wealth and elite education, has assets well above eight figures, according to his latest financial disclosure report. Despite these findings, a spokesperson for Whitehouse did not respond to a request for comment.