DemocratIn office since Nov 2022

Matthew Dawson

Rhode Island State Representative, District 65 since 2022. Ran in 2 elections between 2022 and 2024, winning 2. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2028.

Rhode Island State Representative, District 65Born 1968

Official website Wikipedia

In office: 3 yrs; Since 2022
Bills became law: 60; 274 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed: 14.2%; Chamber median 6.6%
With party: 99%; On votes splitting the parties
Last margin: +92.2; Won 2026
Next election: 2028; Nov 7, 2028

Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Committees

As of 2026-10.

Judiciary · second vice chair
Municipal Government and Housing
Special Legislation
State Government and Elections

Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 274 sponsored · 60 became law

BillIntroCmteHouseSenateLaw

HB 8627 AN ACT RELATING TO SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGES
Became law Jun 2026

HB 8046 AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--PROCEDURE GENERALLY -- FEES
Became law Jun 2026

HB 7654 AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE AND SALE
Became law Jun 2026

HB 7656 AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PENSION REVOCATION AND…
Became law Jun 2026

HB 8094 AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- MISCELLANEOUS RULES
Became law Jun 2026

Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET

Voting record

2025–2026 session · placement by roll-call votes

Where Dawson sits in the Rhode Island House of Representatives

Dawson is closer to the center than 25% of the chamber's Democrats.

Closest: Mia Ackerman, Grace Diaz, June Speakman

Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 5:01 PM ET

With Dawson’s party

Votes with the chamber's Democrats99%

Black tick: the average of Democrats in the Rhode Island House of Representatives.

Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships

Key votes

Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Dawson’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Democrats.

Date	Bill	Dawson	Dem. majority	Rep. majority	Result
Jun 12, 2026	SB 2575: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 48–8
Jun 12, 2026	HB 7538: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY HEALTHCARE…	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 54–14
Jun 12, 2026	SB 2570: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BY HEALTHCARE…	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 53–14
Jun 12, 2026	SR 3368: JOINT RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY RHODE ISLAND'S…	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 60–9
Jun 12, 2026	SB 3370: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION	Yes	Yes	No	Passed 51–5

Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls

Career

Offices held, and every time Dawson was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.

2022202320242025202620272028Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 65

Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

Elections

Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.

Year	Race	Result	Margin	Seat	+/−
2026	Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 65	Won	D+92.2	D+22.7	+69.5
2024	Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 65	Won	—	D+22.7	—
2022	Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 65	Won	D+33.3	D+29.7	+3.6