With the Rhode Island General Assembly session scheduled to begin on Jan. 6, WBLQ and WhatsUpNewp have reached out to legislators in the Newport and Westerly areas to learn what they see as the most pressing issues facing Rhode Island in 2026, and legislation they are planning to introduce.
Today, we focus on State Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro, D-Dist. 37 (Westerly), 82 (he turns 83 on January 29). He chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and is a member of House Innovation and Technology, Rules, and Special Legislation Committees. He was first elected to the House in November 2008. Before his election to the House Azzinaro served for 12 years on the Westerly Town Council, including four years as its president.
A retired textile worker, business owner, and carpenter, Azzinaro and his wife, Carol, live in Westerly and are the parents of five children, Tami Algiere, Amy Azzinaro, Lori Gulluscio, Samuel J. Azzinaro and Mary Azzinaro-Banks; and are the grandparents of 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A National Guard and Army Reserve Veteran (he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant E6), Azzinaro has been a strong advocate for veterans and active military.
During the 2025 legislative session, he sponsored bills that would allow Rhode Island Bronze Star Medal recipients to apply for a special license plate without paying a registration fee or service charge; and legislation that provides protection and prevents unethical, improper conduct and the collection of fees by anyone advising or assisting a veteran filing a claim for disability benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, except as authorized by federal law. He also sponsored legislation to rename the Sakonnet River Bridge in honor of Staff Sergeant Christoper Potts, a Tiverton native who lost his life in Iraq in 2004. All three bills passed the General Assembly and were signed into law.
In 2024, Azzinaro introduced a law to develop a program to improve communication between law enforcement and autistic motorists; another bill that would require employers with more than 50 employees to display a poster containing basic information on veterans’ benefits and services. Azzinaro was also the prime sponsor of legislation to create a House study commission to examine and provide recommendations on how to prevent and remedy beach erosion in Rhode Island.
He also introduced several bills related to veterans and was instrumental in creating what has become a highly successful Westerly Higher Education and Job Skills Center, meant to train individuals in highly skilled manufacturing jobs.
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State Rep. Samuel Azzinaro, D – District 37, Westerly. He chairs the House Veterans Affairs Committee and is a member of House Innovation and Technology, Rules, and Special Legislation Committees,
- WUN and WBLQ: How can constituents reach you?
o Telephone:401-596-1434
o Email: rep-azzinaro@rilegislature.gov
- WUN and WBLQ: In the upcoming legislative session what are your top priorities – bills you expect to introduce and/or sponsor? Please provide a brief explanation why each is important.
- RI Promise Scholarship. This bill would amend the current bill and would allow a student graduating from high school one semester to decide on going to CCRI to take advantage of the promise scholarship.
- A Bill to require retail businesses with a liquor license to have liability insurance. This bill would require Westerly businesses with a liquor license to obtain liability insurance, requested by the Westerly Town Council
- Military Child Act This bill would allow a military family relocating in RI to enroll their children in the school district where they would be permanently stationed.
- What are your plans for the upcoming election?
- Run for reelection: YES.
- Additional information
- I am looking for the governor to put money in his budget needed to fully fund the Veteran’s Home in Bristol that would allow RI veterans access.
(WUN, WBLQ note: Finances are often a key ingredient in any election, providing candidates with the wherewithal to purchase advertising, develop campaign materials, hire staff, and cover other expenses. Campaign finances are required to be reported to the state Board of Elections quarterly. Those funds can only be used for a candidate’s campaign, donated to another candidate for election purposes, or donated to charity. Campaign funds are not permitted to be used for personal expenses. Campaign finance reports are due approximately 30 days after the close of the previous quarter, which means the next filing period is the end of January for the quarter ending December 31. As of the third quarter, ending in September, Azzinaro reported a fund balance of $18,794.14.
