Appearing before the media for the first time since being announced as President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of Commerce – and joined by the man who will become her successor, Lt. Gov. Dan McKee – Gov. Gina Raimondo on Wednesday said Rhode Island is “on a good path” in its continued fight against the coronavirus.

The governor left the briefing without taking questions from reporters, the first time she has done so since the onset of the pandemic. During her remarks, she said Wednesday’s event was the 125th media briefing she has held during the crisis.

Little in the way of new developments emerged during the briefing. Raimondo announced that existing state COVID-19 guidelines have been extended for another month, through mid-February, and said that starting next week, officials will provide two weekly updates on the pandemic response – one specific to vaccinations, the other more general.

She began by addressing her impending departure for a new role in Washington, D.C., pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate. After declaring her commitment to her current job just weeks ago, when her name was being floated for other cabinet-level positions, she said she felt compelled to answer Biden’s call regarding the Commerce post at a moment when the nation is facing both public health and economic crises.

“The truthful answer is, I have never pictured myself in Washington. I have loved every minute of being your governor. It’s the greatest honor I have had in my life … Rhode Island is and always will be my home,” she said.

She added: “The truth of it is, we’re in a situation as a nation that none of us ever imagined … So when the president-elect called and asked me to serve and really lean into this work … I felt that I had to say yes, and it will my great honor to serve the American people and continue to serve the people of Rhode Island in my new role.”

Senate confirmation, Raimondo said, “isn’t going to happen overnight,” and she plans to remain in office “until the moment I am confirmed.”

In a state that elects its governor and lieutenant governor separately rather than as a single ticket, the relationship between Raimondo and McKee has appeared distant for much of the governor’s term – and particularly in the last year.

On Wednesday, though, Raimondo offered McKee a vote of confidence and sought to assure Rhode Islanders of a “seamless transition.” She praised McKee’s willingness to keep the state’s COVID-19 response team in place and said Rhode Island has a “well-oiled machine of a COIVD operation” in place.

“I want the people of Rhode Island to know that there will be no disruption in our COVID response. We will not miss a beat … I have every confidence in [McKee] and know that he is ready to step up on day one,” she said.

McKee struck an appreciative tone while reiterating the governor’s message. He went so far as to credit the governor and her staff for their communication with him and his office.

“The governor has done a great job for the state of Rhode Island and has worked very hard to keep us safe … For me, I’m in a good spot because your staff have been incredible communicating with me and my office for six years,” he said. “And over the last 10 months, that communication has increased.”

McKee called it a “source of pride for everyone who lives in the state of Rhode Island” for the governor to be nominated for a cabinet post and appear alongside the incoming president, as Raimondo did late last week in Delaware.

Citing his past service as mayor of Cumberland, McKee said he is familiar with the “dynamics” and “challenges” of an executive-level transition.

“There’s only room for one governor at a time,” he said.

McKee made mention of the state’s frontline health care workers and small business community, the latter of which has been a major focus of his during the pandemic. He pledged an administration that “listens and works hand in hand with our partners in all 39 cities and towns,” and also said he has had initial discussions with the General Assembly’s top leaders.

McKee and Raimondo left the stage at The Vets in Providence together on Wednesday, leaving Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott to handle the remainder of the briefing.

Raimondo took no questions from the media during her exit, while McKee did meet reporters outside the building. He had another media availability scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at Chelo’s on Post Road in Warwick.