Sen. Ottiano Announces Resignation After Taking New Job

Sen. Christopher Ottiano is resigning his seat after accepting a position at Neighborhood Health Plan.

In a statement, Ottiano, 46, said that the new job will “demand all my working time and attention In fairness to the people of Bristol, Portsmouth and Tiverton, and my new employer, I’ve decided to resign as state senator.”

Ottiano, a Republican, is a three-term senator who earned the respect of his peers and was able to spearhead the passage of important legislation in the Democrat-dominated Senate thanks to a willingness to reach across the aisle.

Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed said in a statement Tuesday that Ottiano “ has distinguished himself as a dedicated public servant able to work across the aisle for the greater good of the state. He brought a valuable perspective to the Senate and was instrumental in the passage of legislation to reduce overdose deaths, expand electronic prescriptions, and much more. The Senate is grateful for his service, and we wish him the best as he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his career.”

Ottiano leaves the Brain & Spine Neurosurgical Institute to work at Neighborhood Health Plan as associate medical director.

“I’d like to thank Senate President Paiva Weed, Leader Ruggerio, Minority Leader Algiere, and Majority Whip Goodwin and all of my colleagues in the senate for their guidance and support during my time in office,” he said. “And, most importantly, I’d like to thank my constituents for their trust. It has been an honor to serve as their representative in the state senate.”

A special election will be held to fill his seat.

Ottiano’s work on a number of bills relating to medical issues earned him honors from the State Nurses Association earlier this year.