Seth Magaziner Bio
Seth Michael Magaziner (born July 22, 1983) is an American investment professional and Democratic politician serving as the U.S. representative for Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district since 2023. Before his time in Congress, he served as the 31st general treasurer of Rhode Island from 2015 until 2023. A native of Bristol, Rhode Island, Magaziner built a career that blended finance, public service, and education before entering elected office. He won the November 2022 election to succeed retiring Representative James Langevin.
Magaziner first gained statewide attention in Rhode Island for his work on green infrastructure financing and pension transparency. He went on to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he has focused on health care, immigration oversight, and government accountability.
Early Life and Background
Seth Magaziner was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, on July 22, 1983, to Suzanne and Ira Magaziner. He is the oldest of three children. His father, Ira Magaziner, is a well-known policy advisor who has worked with politicians, governments, and non-governmental organizations. His mother is Catholic and his father is Jewish, and Magaziner grew up in a household shaped by both traditions and a strong interest in public affairs.
He graduated from Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, in 2002. He then attended Brown University, where he served as president of the Brown University Democrats and as president of the College Democrats of Rhode Island. He also served on the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice. Magaziner graduated from Brown with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 2006.
After college, Magaziner joined Teach For America and worked as an elementary school teacher at Creswell Elementary School in Opelousas, Louisiana, from 2006 to 2008. He later returned to school and received a Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management in 2010.
Path to US Politics
Following graduate school, Magaziner entered the financial sector, working first as an associate at Point Judith Capital, a Rhode Island-based venture capital firm, in 2009. He later joined Trillium Asset Management as a vice president, where he focused on socially responsible investing. These roles helped him develop expertise in finance, pension management, and sustainable investment, which would later shape his policy agenda.
Magaziner was also active in civic causes outside his day job. He served as a board member of Marriage Equality Rhode Island and was involved in the successful campaign for same-sex marriage in his home state. He also served on the board of directors of Common Cause Rhode Island and later joined the board of Crossroads Rhode Island, a homeless service organization. These experiences in advocacy and nonprofit leadership helped prepare him for a career in elected office.
In 2013, Magaziner announced his candidacy for Rhode Island general treasurer, signaling his move from the private and nonprofit sectors into statewide politics. He positioned his campaign around fiscal responsibility, transparency, and clean energy investment.
Seth Magaziner Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
On October 22, 2013, Magaziner announced his candidacy for Rhode Island general treasurer. He won the Democratic nomination in the September 9 primary election, defeating former treasurer Frank Caprio. In the November 2014 general election, he defeated Independent candidate Ernest A. Almonte to win the office.
During his early months as treasurer, Magaziner developed a plan to establish the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) to finance green infrastructure projects. In June 2015, he launched a transparency initiative for the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI). That same year, his office announced it was pursuing two class-action lawsuits against fossil fuel companies BP and Plains All American for oil spills that allegedly harmed investors and the environment.
Treasurer Breakthrough (2015–2022)
Magaziner’s tenure as general treasurer was marked by efforts to modernize state finance and expand clean energy investment. In February 2016, he was selected as chair of the Financial Literacy Committee for the National Association of State Treasurers, a position that elevated his profile beyond Rhode Island.
As treasurer, Magaziner continued to push for pension transparency, environmental accountability, and financial education. He won re-election and served two terms, earning a reputation as one of the more active state treasurers in the country.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2023–Present)
On January 26, 2022, Magaziner withdrew from the 2022 Rhode Island gubernatorial race and announced he would run to represent Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district after longtime incumbent James Langevin announced his retirement. He defeated five other candidates in the September 13 Democratic primary with 54 percent of the vote. On November 8, 2022, Magaziner won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Allan Fung, a former mayor of Cranston, 50 percent to 47 percent.
Since taking office, Magaziner has been an active member of the House. In 2023, he voted against several measures, including a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency and H.J.Res. 24, which disapproved the District of Columbia Council’s plan to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections. In 2024, he introduced the Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act, which would allow National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants to be used for bicycle education and safety programs.
On November 5, 2024, Magaziner won re-election to his House seat, defeating Republican Steve Corvi 58 percent to 42 percent. In 2025, he was one of the original 16 cosponsors of the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act, introduced by Republican Chip Roy of Texas, which would ban members of Congress and their spouses and dependents from owning and trading stocks.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Magaziner’s most talked-about moments in Congress came on December 12, 2025, when he questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about deportations of U.S. veterans. After she stated that no U.S. citizens or military veterans had been deported, Magaziner presented, via Zoom, Purple Heart recipient and green-card holder Sae Joon Park, who had been forced to self-deport under her administration. The exchange drew national attention and prompted calls from some members of Congress, including Representative Delia Ramirez, for Noem to resign or face impeachment.
Seth Magaziner Career Wins
Magaziner has compiled a steady record of electoral victories at both the state and federal levels, beginning with his first run for Rhode Island general treasurer in 2014.
Congressional Highlights
Magaziner first won his U.S. House seat on November 8, 2022, defeating Republican Allan Fung 50 percent to 47 percent in a competitive race. He followed that with a decisive re-election victory on November 5, 2024, when he defeated Republican Steve Corvi 58 percent to 42 percent, expanding his margin of victory in Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district.
Other Wins and Achievements
As a state official, Magaziner won the 2014 general election for Rhode Island general treasurer, defeating Independent candidate Ernest A. Almonte. He was re-elected in 2018, securing a second term. In 2016, he was selected as chair of the Financial Literacy Committee for the National Association of State Treasurers, a notable leadership role within the national treasurer community.
Seth Magaziner Family
Family Background and Political Lineage
Magaziner comes from a family with deep ties to public policy and political advising. His father, Ira Magaziner, is a well-known policy advisor who has worked with politicians, governments, and non-governmental organizations around the world. His mother, Suzanne Magaziner, raised Seth and his two siblings in Bristol, Rhode Island. The family background in policy work helped shape his early interest in public service.
Personal Life
Magaziner married Julia McDowell in 2018. The couple has a son and a daughter. The family resides in Cranston, Rhode Island, in the 2nd congressional district that Magaziner represents. Outside of politics, Magaziner continues to serve on the board of directors of Crossroads Rhode Island, a homeless service organization.