Pagliarini Will Seek Reelection to Senate District 11 Seat

TIVERTON, RI—Sen. John Pagliarini Jr., (R-Dist. 11), made a trip to Tiverton Town Hall on Monday and filled out paperwork to officially seek reelection to the seat he won just six months ago.

Pagliarini, a real estate lawyer and former town tax assessor and planner, promised after winning the Jan. 5 special election that he'd oppose tolls, support veteran pension relief and good government reforms.

"I am proud to say I have accomplished each of those promises” Pagliarini said.

He's been called the "fiercest opponent of tolls" in the Senate, and it's believed that a driving force behind his successful campaign was his outspokenness against tolls in light of the RhodeWorks bridge and highway reconstruction plan, which was in the in the throes of debate during the race.

The District 11 seat was vacated by former Sen. Christopher Ottiano, a Republican who resigned to focus on a new job. Pagliarini, also a Republican, was considered the underdog by some as the political newcomer in the race. His Democrat opponent, James Seveney, is a longtime Town Councilman in Portsmouth and got Ottiano's endorsement despite the differing political affiliations.

But Pagliarini knocked on doors and vigorously campaigned throughout the district as well as on the internet, where he became a voice for disaffected taxpayers still miffed about the former tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge and wary of the RhodeWorks plan, which heavily relies on borrowing.

In a statement, Pagliarini said that the toll fight isn't over and he "believes the issue will be back next year as revenue projections will necessitate amending RhodeWorks."

Since winning the seat, Pagliarini said he's especially proud of to work with the Tiverton and Portsmouth Drug Prevention Coalitions and thanked them for "their efforts in educating school children, and himself, to the danger's today's children face."

He worked on the Senate Finance Committee to "protect state aid to education funding for District 11."

He also worked to increase the amount of money the state Department of Environmental Management will get for recreation grants.

"Each of my three towns desires a recreation grant for a major local project, proudly I sought additional funding that made it into the budget,” Pagliarini said.

The senator said he recently visited Prudence Island and believes "greater state and local assistance is needed for the island."

He also tipped his hat to the Bristol arts community in his campaign announcement, saying it's "as an economic engine that he supports and will continue to help as a liaison with the State Council for the Arts."

The father of two, Pagliarini lives in Tiverton with his wife, Susan.

District 11 encompasses parts of Tiverton, Bristol and Portsmouth.

Pagliarini may be reached at sen-pagliarini@rilegislature.gov or at the campaign email at john@senate11.com.