Leaving office January 1, 2027.Lost re-election in 2026. This page switches to the former-officeholder layout when the term ends.

RepublicanIn office until January 1, 2027

Thomas J. Paolino

Rhode Island State Senator, District 17 since 2016. Lost re-election in 2026; leaves office in January 2027. Ran in 5 elections between 2016 and 2024, winning 5.

Rhode Island State Senator, District 17

Official website Wikipedia

In office: 9 yrs; Since 2016
Bills became law: 15; 213 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed: 2.1%; Chamber median 1.8%
With party: 92%; On votes splitting the parties
Last margin: −4.6; Lost 2026
Elections: 6; 2016–2026

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

Committees

As of 2026-10.

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Education
Health and Human Services
Judiciary

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

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 213 sponsored · 15 became law

BillIntroCmteSenateHouseLaw

SB 2733 AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE -- ARREST
Became law Jun 2026

SB 2195 AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW--GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COMPANION MODELS
Became law Jun 2026

SB 2197 AN ACT RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HOSPITALS -- OVERSIGHT OF…
Became law Jun 2026

SB 2178 AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- PARKING FACILITIES AND PRIVILEGES
Became law Jun 2026

SB 2057 AN ACT RELATING TO DELINQUENT AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN -- PROCEEDINGS IN FAMILY COURT
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 Paolino sits in the Rhode Island State Senate

Paolino is closer to the center than 75% of the chamber's Republicans.

Closest: Gordon Rogers, Jessica de la Cruz, Lou Raptakis

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

With Paolino’s party

Votes with the chamber's Republicans92%

Black tick: the average of Republicans in the Rhode Island State Senate.

Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships

Key votes

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

Date	Bill	Paolino	Rep. majority	Dem. majority	Result
Jun 12, 2026	HB 7654: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE AND SALE	No	No	Yes	Passed 33–4
Jun 11, 2026	HB 8005: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES	Yes	Yes	Yes	Passed 35–2
Jun 11, 2026	HB 7030: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- HEALTHCARE WORKER PLATFORM ACT	Yes	Yes	Yes	Passed 35–3
Jun 11, 2026	HB 7020: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- VETERINARY PRACTICE	No	No	Yes	Passed 29–9
Jun 11, 2026	HB 8400: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION	No	No	Yes	Passed 29–9

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

Career

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

2016201720182019202020212022202320242025202620272028Rhode Island State Senate, District 17

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 State Senate, District 17	Lost	D+4.6	D+0.2	−4.4
2024	Rhode Island State Senate, District 17	Won	R+16.2	D+0.2	+16.4
2022	Rhode Island State Senate, District 17	Won	R+18.8	D+4.5	+23.3
2020	Rhode Island State Senate, District 17	Won	R+18.4	—	—
2018	Rhode Island State Senate, District 17	Won	R+1.2	—	—
2016	Rhode Island State Senate, District 17	Won	R+2.0	—	—