State
State Senator, 17th District
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 2 years
- Candidates
- 4
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A state senator votes on Rhode Island laws and the state budget in the General Assembly.
Taxes & budget
Nelly Evelyn BurdetteDemocrat
No documented position found.
John Douglas BarrIndependent
No documented position found.
Jina Norma PetrarcaIndependent
No documented position found.
Thomas Joseph PaolinoRepublican
- Supports ending car tax, cutting sales taxIn office
- Supports ending state income tax on Social SecurityIn office
Education
Nelly Evelyn BurdetteDemocrat
No documented position found.
John Douglas BarrIndependent
No documented position found.
Jina Norma PetrarcaIndependent
No documented position found.
Thomas Joseph PaolinoRepublican
- Led effort to require high school financial literacy coursesIn office
Housing
Nelly Evelyn BurdetteDemocrat
- Supports housing stability as a community priority
John Douglas BarrIndependent
No documented position found.
Jina Norma PetrarcaIndependent
No documented position found.
Thomas Joseph PaolinoRepublican
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Nelly Evelyn BurdetteDemocrat
- Supports helping small businesses facing rising costs
John Douglas BarrIndependent
No documented position found.
Jina Norma PetrarcaIndependent
No documented position found.
Thomas Joseph PaolinoRepublican
No documented position found.
Health & human services
Nelly Evelyn BurdetteDemocrat
- Supports access to affordable primary care
- Supports more healthcare, housing and support for older residents
John Douglas BarrIndependent
No documented position found.
Jina Norma PetrarcaIndependent
No documented position found.
Thomas Joseph PaolinoRepublican
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Nelly Evelyn BurdetteDemocrat
No documented position found.
John Douglas BarrIndependent
No documented position found.
Jina Norma PetrarcaIndependent
No documented position found.
Thomas Joseph PaolinoRepublican
- Supports a line-item veto and an Inspector GeneralIn office
Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.