PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island's Senate Democrats stuck with Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and promoted Val Lawson to majority leader on Thursday night, but not before a public fight over whether their 75-year-old leader is still healthy enough to run the chamber. Lawson, D-East Providence, replaces the current majority leader, Cumberland Democrat Ryan Pearson, who wound up in Ruggerio's crosshairs earlier this year after raising the delicate subject of his health and future at a private meeting. RELATED: Ruggerio speaks out on cancer battle, political future The vote to endorse Ruggerio, D-North Providence, for another term and give Lawson the No. 2 job came at a caucus meeting of Senate Democrats held at the Waterman Grille. The meeting itself was controversial, with Pearson's allies arguing he had control of the caucus as majority leader under the rules, but Ruggerio's side contesting that. Pearson did win a public fight with Ruggerio over whether the caucus should be open to reporters, after the Senate president had indicated he wanted the press kept out. (Separately, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has announced he will let reporters attend his chamber's Democratic caucus on Friday.) MORE: Ruggerio confirms move to oust Pearson from Senate leadership The caucus followed months of behind-the-scene tension in the Senate. Ruggerio has been frequently absent from the public stage this year as he fought cancer, and frustration among some Democratic lawmakers about the situation grew after many felt it put the chamber at a disadvantage during end-of-session negotiations with the House last spring. "We have a serious task ahead of us for the next two years," said Senate Environment & Agriculture Committee Chair Alana DiMario. "We are facing a serious budget deficit. We are facing the reality of what a Trump administration is going to look like. We need a leadership team that is able to be proactive, responsible and again, above all, communicative." But Ruggerio instead he is on the mend, and is ready to lead the Senate as it deals with the state's projected $400 million budget deficit. "I know this will be a difficult session because we don't have the revenue that we had previously," Ruggerio said. "I think that if we work hard, I think we can get over the hump. But it's going to take sacrifice." He added, "You will find I will be much more available than in the past few months." Even after the vote, however, Pearson told reporters he has "very serious concerns" about whether Ruggerio can lead the Senate effectively going forward. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW