Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office/ri_2018_general_election_house_of_representatives_dis53
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Rhode Island, State House, District 53

Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53
Current incumbentBernard Hawkins Democratic Party

Rhode Island's fifty-third state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Bernard Hawkins.

Rhode Island state representatives represent an average of 14,034 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 13,978 residents.

About the chamber

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

Qualifications

Article III of the Rhode Island Constitution describes the requirements to hold office.

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$15,959/yearNo per diem is paid.

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, 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. The person elected to fill the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for September 8, 2020. The filing deadline is June 24, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53

Bernard Hawkins (D) defeated Richard Poirier (R) in the general election for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Bernard Hawkins (D)
52.5
2,860

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Richard Poirier (R)
47.2
2,569
Other/Write-in votes
0.3
17

Total votes: 5,446
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53

Bernard Hawkins advanced from the Democratic primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 on September 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Bernard Hawkins (D)
100
946

Total votes: 946
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53

Richard Poirier advanced from the Republican primary for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 on September 12, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Richard Poirier (R)
100
384

Total votes: 384

2016

Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and a general election would have taken place on November 8, 2016, if no candidate had won a majority of votes in the primary. The candidate filing deadline was June 29, 2016.

Incumbent Thomas Winfield defeated Stephanie Westgate in the Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 general election.

Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 53 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Thomas Winfield Incumbent 57.21% 3,540
Republican Stephanie Westgate 42.79% 2,648
Total Votes 6,188
Source: Rhode Island State Board of Elections

Incumbent Thomas Winfield ran unopposed in the Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 Democratic primary.

Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 53 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Thomas Winfield Incumbent (unopposed)

Stephanie Westgate ran unopposed in the Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 Republican primary.

Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 53 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png Stephanie Westgate (unopposed)

2014

Elections for the Rhode Island House of Representatives 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 Thomas Winfield was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Daria Chase was removed from the ballot before the Republican primary. Winfield was unchallenged in the general election.

2012

Elections for the office of Rhode Island House of Representatives 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 Thomas Winfield (D) defeated David Bibeault (R) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in their primary.

Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 53, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngThomas Winfield Incumbent 63% 3,875
Republican David Bibeault 36.7% 2,259
Other Write-in 0.3% 20
Total Votes 6,154

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53 raised a total of $134,676. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $7,482 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Rhode Island House of Representatives District 53

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $9,382 2 $4,691
2014 $11,300 1 $11,300
2012 $15,225 2 $7,613
2010 $8,730 2 $4,365
2008 $17,150 2 $8,575
2006 $27,798 3 $9,266
2004 $36,481 2 $18,241
2002 $5,375 2 $2,688
2000 $3,235 2 $1,618
Total $134,676 18 $7,482