Seth Magaziner

American politician (born 1983)

Seth Magaziner
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJames Langevin
31st Treasurer of Rhode Island
In office
January 6, 2015 – January 3, 2023
GovernorGina Raimondo
Dan McKee
Preceded byGina Raimondo
Succeeded byJames Diossa
Personal details
Born
Seth Michael Magaziner

(1983-07-22) July 22, 1983 (age 40)
Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Julia McDowell
​
(m. 2018)​
Children1
RelativesIra Magaziner (father)
EducationBrown University (BA)
Yale University (MBA)
WebsiteHouse website

Seth Michael Magaziner (born July 22, 1983) is an American investment professional and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district since 2023.[1][2] A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 31st General Treasurer of Rhode Island from 2015 until 2023.[3] Magaziner won the November 2022 election to succeed retiring representative James Langevin.

Early life and education

Seth Magaziner was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, on July 22, 1983, to Suzanne and Ira Magaziner.[4][5] Ira is a policy advisor for politicians, governments, and non-governmental organizations.[6] Suzanne is Catholic and Ira is Jewish.[7][8] Seth is the oldest of three children.[9]

Magaziner graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, in 2002.[10] He then attended Brown University, where he served as president of the Brown University Democrats, president of the College Democrats of Rhode Island, and as a member of the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice.[11][12] Magaziner graduated from Brown with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 2006.[13] He received a Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management in 2010.[11][14]

Early career

Magaziner worked as a school teacher at Creswell Elementary School in Opelousas, Louisiana, from 2006 to 2008, as a Teach For America member.[3] In 2009, he worked as an associate at Point Judith Capital, a Rhode Island-based venture capital firm.[15]

After graduate school, Magaziner worked at Trillium Asset Management as a vice president.[11] Magaziner was active in the successful campaign for same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. He served as a board member of Marriage Equality Rhode Island.[6][16]

Magaziner serves on the board of directors of Crossroads Rhode Island, a homeless service organization.[17] He previously served on the board of directors of Common Cause Rhode Island.[3]

Rhode Island General Treasurer

Magaziner (seated on the right in the front row) and other Rhode Island National Guard and political leaders attending a ground breaking ceremony for the new simulator facility to be located at the 143d Airlift Wing, Quonset Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, Rhode Island

On October 22, 2013, Magaziner announced his candidacy for Rhode Island General Treasurer.[3] He won the Democratic nomination in the September 9 primary election, defeating former Treasurer Frank Caprio.[18] Magaziner was elected in the November 2014 general election, defeating Independent candidate Ernest A. Almonte.[19]

In his first months in office, Magaziner developed a plan to establish the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) to finance green infrastructure projects.[20]

In June 2015, Magaziner launched a transparency initiative for the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI).[21] In 2015, the treasurer's office announced it was pursuing two class-action lawsuits against fossil fuel industry companies BP and Plains All American[22] for oil spills that allegedly harmed investors and the environment.

Magaziner at the public launch of Rhode Island's ABLE program in 2017

In February 2016, Magaziner was selected as chair of the Financial Literacy Committee for the National Association of State Treasurers.[23]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

On September 14, 2021, Magaziner announced his candidacy in the 2022 Rhode Island gubernatorial election, focusing on abortion rights, clean energy, reducing gun violence, education, and mandatory coronavirus vaccination for all state and school employees. The incumbent, Dan McKee, had not yet filed for reelection.[24]

Magaziner delivers a victory speech on November 8, 2022 in Providence.

On January 26, 2022, Magaziner withdrew from the gubernatorial election and instead announced he would run to represent Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives after longtime incumbent James Langevin announced his retirement.[25] Magaziner was a resident of the 1st congressional district but moved to a rented house in Cranston after his opponents criticized him for not living in the district, though federal law requires a representative only to be a resident of the state.[26] He defeated five other candidates in the September 13 Democratic primary with over 50% of the vote. On November 8, 2022, Magaziner won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Allan Fung, a former mayor of Cranston and two-time Republican nominee for governor.[27]

Tenure

COVID-19 policy

On January 31, 2023, Magaziner voted against H.R.497, also known as the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[28][29]

On February 1, 2023, Magaziner voted against a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[30][31]

Foreign policy

In 2023, Magaziner voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[32][33] Later that year, he voted against a ban on cluster munitions to Ukraine.[34][35]

Traffic safety

In 2024, Magaziner introduced the Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act. The act would ensure that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants can be used for bicycle education and safety programs.[36]

Voting rights

On February 9, 2023, Magaziner voted against H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which condemns the District of Columbia's plan to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.[37][38]

Electoral history

Rhode Island General Treasurer Democratic primary election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Seth Magaziner 80,378 66.5
Democratic Frank Caprio 40,402 33.5
Rhode Island General Treasurer election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Seth Magaziner 175,902 57.1
Independent Ernest Almonte 131,423 42.7
Write-ins Write-ins 588 0.2
Rhode Island General Treasurer Democratic primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Seth Magaziner 93,967 100.0
Rhode Island General Treasurer election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Seth Magaziner 237,575 64.9
Republican Michael Riley 127,944 35.0
Write-ins Write-ins 539 0.1
2022 Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Seth Magaziner 100,919 50.4
Republican Allan Fung 93,637 46.8
Moderate William Gilbert 5,454 2.7
Write-in 199 0.1
Total votes 200,209 100.00
Democratic hold

Personal life

Magaziner married Julia McDowell in 2018. The couple has a son.[39][40] Magaziner's father is Ira Magaziner.[41]

References

  1. ^ "Swearing in as Member of the 118th Congress". Representative Magaziner. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  2. ^ McGowan, Dan. "Speaker scramble puts Magaziner's first day in Congress in flux - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Gregg, Katherine (October 22, 2013). "Seth Magaziner announces candidacy for RI state treasurer". The Providence Journal.
  4. ^ "General Treasurer Seth Magaziner - Directory of Government Officials". Rhode Island Department of State. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "Seth Magaziner '06". IE Executive MBA | Brown University. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Donnis, Ian. "Seth Magaziner considering a run for Treasurer in 2014", RIPR, May 16, 2013.
  7. ^ Kampeas, Ron (October 27, 2022). "Meet 10 Jewish candidates who could be elected to Congress for the first time this fall". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  8. ^ RI.gov. "RIGOV". www.ri.gov. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  9. ^ Pearlstein, Steven (April 18, 1993). "THE MANY CRUSADES OF IRA MAGAZINER". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  10. ^ "Class of 2002 10th Reunion" Archived February 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Milton Academy, accessed January 29, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c Lamb, Katherine. "Magaziner '06 to run for R.I. general treasurer", The Brown Daily Herald, October 24, 2014.
  12. ^ Jones, Brian C. "Young voters on the move" Archived September 11, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, The Providence Phoenix, October 29 – November 4, 2004.
  13. ^ Gregg, Katherine. "Seth Magaziner announces candidacy for RI state treasurer". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  14. ^ "Ned Lamont '80 Elected Governor of Connecticut". Yale School of Management. November 7, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "Seth Magaziner kicks off run for RI governor". WPRI.com. September 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  16. ^ Jones, Brian C. "The campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in RI", Providence Journal. [dead link]
  17. ^ "Board of Directors", Crossroads Rhode Island, accessed January 28, 2014. [dead link]
  18. ^ Kuffner, Alex. "Magaziner ends Caprio’s comeback for general treasurer", The Providence Journal, Providence, September 9, 2014. [dead link]
  19. ^ Parker, Paul Edward. "Political newcomer Magaziner defeats Almonte to be next R.I. general treasurer", The Providence Journal, Providence, November 5, 2014. [dead link]
  20. ^ "Innovative financing undergirds new RI Infrastructure Bank". newsletter.convergenceri.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  21. ^ "Subscription Center". PIOnline. June 26, 2015. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  22. ^ Comtois, James (November 13, 2015). "Rhode Island ERS leads class-action lawsuits against BP, Plains All American". pionline.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  23. ^ "RI state treasurer to promote financial literacy nationwide". turnto10.com. February 6, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  24. ^ Seth Magaziner announces run for governor, slamming 'old-time politicians' Providence Journal, Katherine Gregg, September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Crandall, Brian (January 26, 2022). "Seth Magaziner announces run for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District". WJAR. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  26. ^ Machado, Steph (August 9, 2022). "Congressional candidate Seth Magaziner moves to house in 2nd District". WPRI.com. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  27. ^ "Democrat Seth Magaziner Defeats Republican Allan Fung in Rhode Island House Race". WSJ. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  28. ^ "Seven Democrats join Republicans in vote to lift vaccine mandate for healthcare workers". January 31, 2023.
  29. ^ "On Passage - H.R.497: To eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on". August 12, 2015.
  30. ^ "House passes resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency". February 2023.
  31. ^ "On Passage - H.J.RES.7: Relating to a national emergency declared by". August 12, 2015.
  32. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023". March 8, 2023.
  33. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  34. ^ Sfortinsky, Sarah. “Almost 50 Democrats Snub Biden with Vote against Cluster Bombs for Ukraine.” The Hill, 14 July 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4097677-almost-50-democrats-snub-biden-with-vote-against-cluster-bombs-for-ukraine/.
  35. ^ “H.Amdt. 243 (Greene) to H.R. 2670: To Prohibit Cluster Munitions ... -- House Vote #317 -- Jul 13, 2023.” GovTrack.Us, https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h317. Accessed 16 July 2023.
  36. ^ Belmore, Ryan (March 30, 2024). "Rep. Magaziner introduces bill to support bicycle safety education". What's Up Newp. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  37. ^ "House votes to overturn D.C.'s illegal immigrant voting plan". The Washington Times.
  38. ^ "H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia … -- House Vote #118 -- Feb 9, 2023".
  39. ^ RI.gov. "RIGOV". www.ri.gov. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  40. ^ "Seth Magaziner kicks off run for RI governor". WPRI.com. September 14, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  41. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Sexual Predator Epstein Tied to RI's Ira Magaziner, Father of General Treasurer UPDATED".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seth Magaziner.
  • Congressman Seth Magaziner official U.S. House website
  • Seth Magaziner for Congress campaign website
Political offices
Preceded by Treasurer of Rhode Island
2015–2023 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district
2023–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
403rd 		Succeeded by
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