Sam Bell (politician)
Samuel W. Bell (born July 7, 1989) is an American politician who serves in the Rhode Island State Senate representing the 5th district in Providence. A Democrat, he was first elected to the senate in the 2018 elections, and assumed office in 2019.[1] Bell is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[2]
Sam Bell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Rhode Island Senate from the 5th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Paul Jabour |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 7, 1989 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America |
| Spouse(s) | Samantha Weiser |
| Children | Jacob Tsvi Weiser Bell (son) |
| Residence(s) | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Alma mater | Amherst College (BA) |
| Occupation | Geologist |
Education
Bell attended Amherst College were he earned a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy and Geology. Bell also attended Brown University were he earned a Master's degree in Geosciences and a Ph.D. in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science.[3]
Career
Bell decided to become involved in politics as a result of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.[4] Bell defeated incumbent senator Paul Jabour in the Democratic primary in September 2018,[5] and ran unopposed in the general election.[1] He assumed office on January 1, 2019.[6]
Bell ran for re-election in 2020, being challenged in the Democratic primary by majority leader of the Providence City Council Jo-Ann Ryan.[7] Bell defeated Ryan by 50 percentage points, and ran unopposed in the general election.[8]
When not in the senate Bell works as a geologist.[4]
Senator Bell proposed legislation that "would impose fines and double the taxes of those who refuse COVID-19 vaccine."[9]
Personal life
Bell is married to Samantha Weiser, a chairwoman of the Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus who also works for Hasbro.[3][10] Bell and his wife are both Jewish and identify as bisexual.[11] They live together in Mount Pleasant.[4] In October 2018, Bell publicly alleged that he and Weiser were personally targeted with antisemitic and homophobic posts from users of the neo-Nazi forum website Stormfront.[11]
Weiser gave birth to their son, Jacob Tsvi Weiser Bell, on December 10, 2021. Shortly after birth Jacob was diagnosed with infant respiratory distress syndrome.[12]
See also
References
- "Some Rhode Island Democrats upset over Murdoch donation". Star Tribune, November 2, 2018.
- "Testify for Medicare for All in Rhode Island!".
- State of Rhode Island General Assembly
- "Sam's Story". sambellpvd. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- "Sam Bell defeats longtime state Sen. Paul Jabour in Democratic primary". Providence Journal, September 12, 2018.
- Belmore, Ryan (January 2019). "General Assembly to convene on New Year's Day". What's Up Newp. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- Crowell, Daniel (September 15, 2021). "Socialist Legislators Are Taking on Rhode Island's Ultraconservative Democrats". Jacobin. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- "Sam Bell (Rhode Island)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
- Staff, Edward Fitzpatrick Globe; April 20, Updated; 2022; Comments, 3:44 p m Share on Facebook Share on TwitterView. "R.I. bill would impose fines and double the taxes of those who refuse COVID-19 vaccine - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
{{cite web}}:|first4=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Eileen, Bridget (23 June 2021). "Congratulations to Samantha Weiser, Our New Chair of the RI Democratic Women's Caucus". Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus.
- "RI State Senator-Elect Alleged He is Being Targeted By NeoNazis". GoLocal Providence, October 28, 2018.
- Gregg, Katherine. "With a newborn in intensive care, RI Senator tries and fails to get OK to vote by proxy". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 13 January 2022.