Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Incumbent

Jonathon Acosta

About the District Census Topic | Value

|

Population | 31,319
Gender |

51.8% Male

48.2% Female

Race |

28.5% White

9.7% Black

0.8% Asian

1.9% Native American

0.1% Pacific Islander

Ethnicity | 56.6% Hispanic
Median household income | $34,114
High school graduation rate | 67.8%
College graduation rate | 10.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 census and 2020 ACS data. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.1%.

Rhode Island State Senate District 16 is represented by Jonathon Acosta (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Rhode Island state senators represented an average of 28,878 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 27,699 residents.

## Contents

* 1 About the chamber
* 1.1 Qualifications
* 1.2 Salaries
* 1.3 Vacancies
* 2 District map
* 3 Redistricting
* 3.1 2020-2022
* 4 Elections
* 4.1 2022
* 4.2 2020
* 4.3 2018
* 4.4 2016
* 4.5 2014
* 4.6 2012
* 5 Campaign contributions
* 6 See also
* 7 External links
* 8 Footnotes

## About the chamber[edit]

Members of the Rhode Island State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Rhode Island legislators assume office the first Tuesday in January.

### Qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

A candidate for the Rhode Island General Assembly must:[1]

* Be a U.S. citizen
* Be a registered voter
* Be at least 18 years of age
* Be a state resident for at least 30 days preceding the election
* Be a resident of the district the candidate is running to represent

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2022

Salary| Per diem
$16,835/year| No per diem is paid.

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Rhode Island General Assembly, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The secretary of state must call for an election to be held anywhere from 70 to 90 days after the vacancy occurred. No election can be held if the vacancy happens after the first Monday in February during an election year.[2] The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[3]

See sources: Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 17-3-6

## District map[edit]

## Redistricting[edit]

### 2020-2022[edit]

See also: Redistricting in Rhode Island after the 2020 census

Rhode Island enacted new legislative district boundaries on February 16, 2022, when Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed redistricting legislation approved by the General Assembly. The State House of Representatives passed the new maps by a vote of 57-6 and the State Senate approved them, 29-9, on February 15, 2022. In a press release issued after Gov. McKee signed the legislation, State Representative Robert Phillips (D), co-chair of the state's legislative Reapportionment Commission, said, "It was an honor and pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of individuals on this commission. I’m particularly proud of the fact that we obtained so much input from citizens around the state, holding our meetings in several cities and towns to make it more accessible to everyone. Reapportionment can be daunting and complex, but I’m glad we took everyone’s concerns into account and came up with a fair and equitable system of reapportionment.”[4][5][6][7]

The Providence Journal's Patrick Anderson and Katherine Gregg wrote "Although some district boundaries changed a lot, the new maps did not put any incumbent General Assembly members in the same district, forcing them to run against each other. But the maps did draw some would-be challengers out of their current districts, potentially protecting incumbents from a tough reelection battle.[8] Edward Fitzpatrick of the Boston Globe wrote that "critics have said both Democratic and Republican incumbents were allowed to shape their districts during private meetings with the state’s long-time redistricting consultant."[9]

How does redistricting in Rhode Island work? In Rhode Island, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Rhode Island General Assembly. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[10]

An 18-member advisory commission established in 2011 can recommend congressional and state legislative redistricting plans to the state legislature. The legislature may "adopt, modify, or ignore the commission's proposals." The composition of the commission is as follows:[10]

1. The majority leader of the Rhode Island State Senate chooses four commissioners who are state legislators and three who are not, for a total of seven commissioners.
2. The majority leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives chooses four commissioners who are state legislators and three who are not, for a total of seven commissioners.
3. The minority leader of the Rhode Island State Senate chooses two commissioners who are state legislators.
4. The minority leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives chooses two commissioners who are state legislators.

The Rhode Island Constitution requires that state legislative districts be compact.[10]

State statutes require that congressional and state legislative districts meet the following criteria:[10]

1. Districts should be contiguous.
2. Districts should "reflect natural, historical, geographical, and municipal and other political lines, 'as well as the right of all Rhode Islanders to fair representation and equal access to the political process.'"
3. "The lines of state House, state Senate and congressional districts [should] coincide–or at least, if they do not overlap completely, they should avoid creating voting precincts with distinct ballot options where the precinct has fewer than 100 people."

### Rhode Island State Senate District 16
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

### Rhode Island State Senate District 16
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

## Elections[edit]

### 2022[edit]

See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2022

General election

##### General election for Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Incumbent Jonathon Acosta defeated Elizabeth Crowley in the general election for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Jonathon Acosta (D)  |

71.3

| 1,538

| Elizabeth Crowley (Independent)  |

28.3

| 611
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

0.4

| 9

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source 1 Source 2

| Total votes: 2,158

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Incumbent Jonathon Acosta advanced from the Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 on September 13, 2022.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Jonathon Acosta |

100.0

| 948

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. Source

| Total votes: 948

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### 2020[edit]

See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2020

General election

##### General election for Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Jonathon Acosta won election in the general election for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Jonathon Acosta (D) |

95.3

| 4,840
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

4.7

| 238

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 5,078

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Jonathon Acosta defeated incumbent Elizabeth Crowley and Leslie Estrada in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 on September 8, 2020.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Jonathon Acosta |

50.5

| 973

| Elizabeth Crowley |

39.8

| 768

| Leslie Estrada |

9.7

| 187

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 1,928

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### 2018[edit]

General election

##### General election for Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Incumbent Elizabeth Crowley won election in the general election for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Elizabeth Crowley (D)  |

97.5

| 3,399
|  | Other/Write-in votes |

2.5

| 86

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 3,485

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Incumbent Elizabeth Crowley advanced from the Democratic primary for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 on September 12, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

✔ |

| Elizabeth Crowley |

100.0

| 1,202

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 1,202

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### 2016[edit]

See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 29, 2016.

Incumbent Elizabeth Crowley ran unopposed in the Rhode Island State Senate District 16 general election.[11][12]

Rhode Island State Senate, District 16 General Election, 2016

Party | Candidate
| Democratic |  Elizabeth Crowley Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections

Incumbent Elizabeth Crowley defeated Daniel Issa in the Rhode Island State Senate District 16 Democratic primary.[13][14]

Rhode Island State Senate, District 16 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Democratic  |  Elizabeth Crowley Incumbent | 66.71% | 954
| Democratic  | Daniel Issa | 33.29% | 476
Total Votes | 1,430

### 2014[edit]

See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 25, 2014. Incumbent Elizabeth Crowley defeated Christine Lachapelle-Miller in the Democratic primary. Daniel Bidondi ran as an independent candidate. Crowley defeated Bidondi in the general election.[15][16][17]

Rhode Island State Senate, District 16, General Election, 2014 Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes

|
|
|

| Democratic  | Elizabeth Crowley Incumbent | 86.2% | 2,455
| Independent  |  Daniel Bidondi  | 13.8% | 392
Total Votes | 2,847
Rhode Island State Senate, District 16 Democratic Primary, 2014 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Elizabeth Crowley Incumbent | 68.1% | 1,241
Christine Lachapelle-Miller  | 31.9% | 582
Total Votes | 1,823

### 2012[edit]

See also: Rhode Island State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the Rhode Island State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 11, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 27, 2012. Incumbent Elizabeth Crowley (D) defeated Nicholas S. Gelfuso (M) in the general election and defeated Joseph P. Moran III in the Democratic primary.[18][19]

Rhode Island State Senate, District 16, General Election, 2012 Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes

|
|
|

| Democratic  | Elizabeth Crowley Incumbent | 89.7% | 4,616
| Moderate  |  Nicholas S. Gelfuso  | 10.2% | 523
| Other  |  Write-in  | 0.2% | 9
Total Votes | 5,148
Rhode Island State Senate, District 16 Democratic Primary, 2012 Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Elizabeth Crowley Incumbent | 67.8% | 1,189
Joseph Moran III  | 32.2% | 564
Total Votes | 1,753

## Campaign contributions[edit]

From 2000 to 2018, candidates for Rhode Island State Senate District 16 raised a total of $233,101. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $11,100 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, Rhode Island State Senate District 16

Year | Amount | Candidates | Average
2018 | $10,580 | 1 | $10,580
2016 | $18,741 | 2 | $9,371
2014 | $29,381 | 3 | $9,794
2012 | $24,711 | 3 | $8,237
2010 | $27,723 | 3 | $9,241
2008 | $52,267 | 3 | $17,422
2006 | $29,243 | 1 | $29,243
2004 | $31,505 | 1 | $31,505
2002 | $4,125 | 2 | $2,063
2000 | $4,825 | 2 | $2,413
Total | $233,101 | 21 | $11,100

## See also[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Rhode Island General Assembly
* Rhode Island State Senate
* Rhode Island House of Representatives
* Rhode Island state legislative districts

## External links[edit]

* The Rhode Island General Assembly

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Are You Eligible?" accessed February 17, 2021
2. ↑ Rhode Island Legislature, "Rhode Island General Laws," accessed February 15, 2021 (Statute 17-3-6 (a))
3. ↑ Rhode Island Legislature, "Rhode Island General Laws," accessed February 15, 2021 (Statute 17-3-6 (b))
4. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Bill to reapportion House, Senate, congressional districts signed into law," accessed February 18, 2022
5. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "2022 House Journals - February 15th," accessed February 18, 2022
6. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "House Floor Votes for 2/15/2022," accessed February 18, 2022
7. ↑ State of Rhode Island General Assembly, "Legislative Status Report - Senate Bill No. 2162 SUB A as amended," accessed February 18, 2022
8. ↑ The Providence Journal, "Redistricting maps: General Assembly approves new Rhode Island political boundaries," February 15, 2022
9. ↑ Boston Globe, "Assembly votes for final House, Senate, congressional maps," February 15, 2022
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 All About Redistricting, "Rhode Island," accessed May 7, 2015
11. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Search," accessed October 5, 2016
12. ↑ Rhode Island Board of Elections, "2016 general election results," accessed January 19, 2017
13. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "2016 Candidate Search," accessed June 30, 2016
14. ↑ Rhode Island Board of Elections, "2016 Statewide Primary," accessed October 14, 2016
15. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "Candidates for Senator in General Assembly," accessed June 30, 2014
16. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State, "2014 Statewide Primary Results: Senator in General Assembly," accessed September 26, 2014
17. ↑ Rhode Island Board of Elections, "Official 2014 general election results," accessed December 4, 2014
18. ↑ "Rhode Island Secretary of State - Official General Election Results," accessed October 30, 2013
19. ↑ Rhode Island Secretary of State - Official Primary Election Results

[show]

Current members of the Rhode Island State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Dominick Ruggerio

Senators

District 1

Maryellen Goodwin (D)

District 2

Ana Quezada (D)

District 3

Sam Zurier (D)

District 4

Dominick Ruggerio (D)

District 5

Sam Bell (D)

District 6

Tiara Mack (D)

District 7

Frank Ciccone (D)

District 8

Sandra Cano (D)

District 9

John Burke (D)

District 10

Walter Felag (D)

District 11

James Seveney (D)

District 12

Louis DiPalma (D)

District 13

Dawn Euer (D)

District 14

Valarie Lawson (D)

District 15

Meghan Kallman (D)

District 16

Jonathon Acosta (D)

District 17

Thomas Paolino (R)

District 18

Cynthia Mendes (D)

District 19

Ryan Pearson (D)

District 20

Roger Picard (D)

District 21

Gordon Rogers (R)

District 22

Steve Archambault (D)

District 23

Jessica de la Cruz (R)

District 24

Melissa Murray (D)

District 25

Frank Lombardo (D)

District 26

Frank Lombardi (D)

District 27

Hanna Gallo (D)

District 28

Joshua Miller (D)

District 29

Michael McCaffrey (D)

District 30

Jeanine Calkin (D)

District 31

Kendra Anderson (D)

District 32

Cynthia Coyne (D)

District 33

Leonidas Raptakis (D)

District 34

Elaine Morgan (R)

District 35

Bridget Valverde (D)

District 36

Alana DiMario (D)

District 37

V. Sosnowski (D)

District 38

Dennis Algiere (R)

Democratic Party (33)

Republican Party (5)

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