Rhode Island's 1st Senate district

Rhode Island's 1st State Senate district
Senator	Jake Bissaillon D – Providence
Registration	53%  Democratic 8%  Republican 39%  No party preference
Demographics	39%  White 13%  Black 35%  Hispanic 6%  Asian 5%  Multiracial
Population (2023 [1] )	27,368
Registered voters (May 2025 [2] )	14,503

Rhode Island's 1st Senate district is one of 38 districts in the Rhode Island Senate. It has been represented by Democrat Jake Bissaillon since December 2023.

Geography

Precinct map of Senate District 1 (2022–2032)

Senate District 1 contains 13 precincts within the municipality of Providence, the state's capital and largest city. ^[3]

History

In 1994, voters passed a constitutional referendum shrinking the size of the Rhode Island General Assembly, with Senate membership decreasing from 50 members to 38. The changes took effect after the 2002 redistricting cycle.

List of members

• Jake Bissaillon (Democratic) Dec. 2023–present
• Maryellen Goodwin (Democratic) 2005–Apr. 2023 (died)
• Rhoda Perry (Democratic) 2003–2005 (redistricted)
• Maryellen Goodwin (Democratic) 1987–2003 (redistricted)

Past election results

Federal and statewide results

Year	Office	Results
2022	Governor	McKee 74.9 – 22.0%
2020	President	Biden 77.3 – 20.4%
	Senate	Reed 82.4 – 17.3%
2018	Senate	Whitehouse 81.2 – 18.4%
	Governor	Raimondo 72.4 – 18.6%
2016	President	Clinton 75.2 – 19.1%
2012	President	Obama 82.2 – 17.8%

2022–present

2024 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jake Bissaillon (inc.)	5,773	95.42%	+12.64%
	Write-in		277	4.58%	+3.76%
Total votes			6,050	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2023 Rhode Island Senate District 1 special election ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jake Bissaillon	904	82.78%	+1.84%
	Republican	Niyoka P. Powell	179	16.39%	New
	Write-in		9	0.82%	+0.33%
Total votes			1,092	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2022 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	3,138	80.94%	−16.01%
	Independent	Niyoka P. Powell	720	18.57%	New
	Write-in		19	0.49%	−2.56%
Total votes			3,877	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2012–2020

2020 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	7,492	96.95%	−0.30%
	Write-in		236	3.05%	+0.30%
Total votes			7,728	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2018 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	5,452	97.25%	+14.57%
	Write-in		154	2.75%	+1.84%
Total votes			5,606	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2016 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	6,267	82.68%	−14.99%
	Republican	Jeffrey O. Caminero	1,244	16.41%	New
	Write-in		69	0.91%	−1.42%
Total votes			7,580	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2014 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	4,488	97.67%	−0.39%
	Write-in		107	2.33%	+0.39%
Total votes			4,595	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2012 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	6,048	98.06%	+20.99%
	Write-in		120	1.94%	New
Total votes			6,168	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2004–2010

2010 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	3,466	77.07%	−7.81%
	Republican	Anthony F. Demings	1,031	22.93%	+7.81%
Total votes			4,497	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2008 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	5,631	84.88%	+2.15%
	Republican	Anthony F. Demings	1,003	15.12%	−2.15%
Total votes			6,634	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2006 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	4,215	82.73%	+6.72%
	Republican	Donald C. Izzo Jr.	880	17.27%	+2.46%
Total votes			8,545	100.00%
	Democratic hold

In 2004, Maryellen Goodwin was redistricted back to District 1, and the Senate was reduced from 50 to 38 members.

2004 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	4,373	76.01%	+6.38%
	Republican	Donald C. Izzo Jr.	852	14.81%	−2.80%
	Independent	Daniel J. Grzych	516	8.97%	New
	Write-in		12	0.21%	New
Total votes			5,753	100.00%
	Democratic hold

2002

In 2002, incumbent senator Maryellen Goodwin was redistricted to Senate District 4. Rhoda Perry, who represented District 3 until 2002, was elected from District 1.

2002 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Rhoda Perry (inc.)	7,040	82.39%	+4.67%
	Republican	Leo Trevino	1,505	17.61%	New
Total votes			8,545	100.00%
	Democratic hold

Until 2000

2000 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	3,069	77.72%	+2.25%
	Independent	Daniel J. Grzych	880	23.28%	−0.99%
Total votes			3,949	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1998 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	2,597	75.47%	−1.84%
	Independent	Daniel J. Grzych	835	24.27%	+1.58%
	Write-in		9	0.26%	New
Total votes			3,441	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1996 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	3,032	77.31%	+11.42%
	Independent	Daniel J. Grzych	890	22.69%	−11.42%
Total votes			3,922	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1994 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[20]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	2,618	65.89%	+4.38%
	Independent	Daniel J. Grzych	1,355	34.11%	+2.31%
Total votes			3,973	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1992 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[21]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	2,979	61.51%	−38.49%
	Independent	Daniel J. Grzych	1,540	31.80%	New
	Independent	Mary C. Jones	324	6.69%	New
Total votes			4,843	100.00%
	Democratic hold

1990 Rhode Island Senate District 1 general election ^[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Maryellen Goodwin (inc.)	4,025	100.00%
Total votes			4,025	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. "State Senate District 1, RI". Census Reporter. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
2. "Rhode Island Voter Registration". Rhode Island Department of State. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
3. "Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
4. "2024 General Election: Senator in General Assembly District 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
5. "2023 General Election: Senator in General Assembly District 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
6. "2022 General Election: Senator in General Assembly District 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
7. "2020 General Election: SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
8. "2018 General Election: SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
9. "2016 General Election: Senator in General Assembly District 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
10. "2014 General Election: SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
11. "2012 General Election: SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
12. "2010 General Election: SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
13. "2008 General Election: SENATOR IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 1". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
14. "State Senate Results By District (2006)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
15. "State Senate Results By District (2004)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
16. "Results By District For RI Senate (2002)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
17. "Results By District For RI Senate (2000)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
18. "RI State Senator; RI GENERAL ELECTION, November 3, 1998". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
19. "Votes Cast For RI Senate (1996)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
20. "General Election Vote For R.I. Senate (1994)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
21. "Vote For Rhode Island Senate; November 3, 1992". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
22. "RI Senate (1990)". State of Rhode Island Board of Elections. Retrieved 28 May 2025.