Samuel W. Bell (born July 7, 1989) is an American geologist and 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.[2] Bell is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[3]
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 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America[a] |
| Spouse | Samantha Weiser |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession | Geologist |
Background
editBell attended Amherst College where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy and Geology. Bell also attended Brown University where he earned a master's degree in Geosciences and a PhD in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science.[4] When not in the senate, Bell works as a geologist.[5]
Political career
editBell decided to become involved in politics as a result of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.[5] Bell defeated incumbent senator Paul Jabour in the Democratic primary in September 2018,[6] and ran unopposed in the general election.[2] He assumed office on January 1, 2019.[7]
Bell ran for re-election in 2020, being challenged in the Democratic primary by majority leader of the Providence City Council Jo-Ann Ryan.[8] Bell defeated Ryan by 50 percentage points, and ran unopposed in the general election.[9]
In 2022, Bell proposed legislation that "would impose fines and double the taxes of those who refuse COVID-19 vaccine".[10]
Personal life
editBell is married to Samantha Weiser, a chairwoman of the Rhode Island Democratic Women's Caucus who also works for Hasbro.[4][11] Bell and his wife are both Jewish and identify as bisexual.[12] They live together in Mount Pleasant.[5] In October 2018, Bell publicly alleged that he and his wife were personally targeted with antisemitic and homophobic posts from users of the neo-Nazi forum website Stormfront.[12]
Bell and Weiser have one son, Jacob Weiser Bell, born in December 2021, who was diagnosed with infant respiratory distress syndrome after birth.[13]
See also
editExplanatory notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Stein, Jeff (2017-08-05). "9 questions about the Democratic Socialists of America you were too embarrassed to ask". Vox. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
- ^ a b "Some Rhode Island Democrats upset over Murdoch donation". Star Tribune, November 2, 2018.
- ^ "Testify for Medicare for All in Rhode Island!". 2 March 2021.
- ^ a b State of Rhode Island General Assembly
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Edward. "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "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.