Robert A. Watson

Robert A. Watson (born October 14, 1960) is an American attorney and former Republican member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing the 30th District since 1992. His district includes parts of East Greenwich and West Greenwich. He is a former House Minority Leader. He was arrested twice for marijuana possession and was arrested for a third offense of vandalizing a bank. He resigned in the summer of 2012.[4]

Robert A. Watson
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 30th district
In office
January 2003 – January 2013
Preceded byPaul Sherlock[1]
Succeeded byAntonio Giarrusso
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 43rd district
In office
January 1993 – January 2003
Preceded byDavid Dumas[2]
Succeeded byJoseph Vococola[3]
Member of the Rhode Island Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
January 1989 – January 1991
Preceded byStephen Deutsch
Succeeded byMichael Lenihan
Personal details
Born (1960-10-14) October 14, 1960
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceEast Greenwich, Rhode Island
Alma materUniversity of Denver, Columbus School of Law
Professionattorney

Early life, education, and law career

Watson was born in 1960 in Providence, Rhode Island. Hee attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Denver in 1982, and attended the Columbus School of Law of the Catholic University of America, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1986. Watson is a practicing attorney and member of the Rhode Island and American Bar Associations.[5]

Rhode Island legislature

Elections
1988–1990

Watson decided to run in Rhode Island's 22nd Senate District, based in East Greenwich and Warwick. In 1990, he ran for re-election but lost to Democrat Michael Lenihan by a narrow margin.[6]

1992–2000

After redistricting, he decided to run in the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1992 to the 43rd district. He defeated Democrat Linda Seiler and Independent David Zartarian.[7] In 1994, he won re-election to a second term defeating Democrat David Zartarian.[8] In 1996, he won re-election to a third term unopposed.[9] In 1998, he won re-election to a fourth term defeating Democrat Gregory DeGroot.[10] In 2000, he won re-election to a fifth term against Reform party nominee Timothy Miller.[1]

2002–present

Upon redistricting and downsizing of the RI House from 100 to 75 members in 2002, Watson ran in the newly redrawn 30th House District, based in East and West Greenwich. He won re-election to a sixth term unopposed.[11] He ran unopposed in 2004 to his seventh term.[12] In 2006, he won re-election to an eighth term with 57% of the vote.[13] In 2008, he won re-election to a ninth term 54%-46%,[14] winning in eight of nine precincts.[15] In 2010, he won re-election a tenth term with 57% of the vote.[16]

Tenure

In February 2011, he made a joke in private meeting saying "I guess that if you are a Guatemalan gay man who likes to gamble and smokes marijuana, you probably think we're onto some good ideas here."[17]

In 2005, he sponsored legislation that would legalize medical marijuana.[18][19]

Watson has served as Minority Leader since elected by his caucus in November 1998. He ran for Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives four times. The closest Watson ever got was when Republicans had 12 seats in the State House in 2003.[20]

Committee assignments

During the 2009-2010 legislative session, Watson served on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee and the Joint Committee on Legislative Services.[5] He served as the chairman of the East Greenwich Republican Town Committee from 1990 to 1992. He's also on the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline.

Personal life

He lives in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Watson was stopped in East Haven, Connecticut at a police checkpoint on Friday, April 22, 2011. He was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after it was noted that a strong odor of marijuana was emanating from his car. He was also charged with driving under the influence.[21] After further analysis of his urine by the Connecticut Toxicological Lab, Watson's blood alcohol content was determined to be .07, below the legal limit of .08. Traces of marijuana and cocaine were also found.[22]

On Jan 22, 2012 Robert Watson was arrested in South Kingston, RI for possession of marijuana and related paraphernalia. He was found to also have 3 open containers of alcohol in his possession.[23]

On November 6, 2017 Watson was arrested for attacking a bank and then breaking and entering into a neighbor's home. According to the police report he was naked and bleeding at the time.[24][25][26]

References
  1. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  2. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  3. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  4. | Thursday, May 5th 2016 | First on 10: Former RI lawmaker Robert Watson accused of vandalism at bank | NBC 10 News |
  5. "Watson, Legislative Biography". Rhode Island General Assembly. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  6. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  7. "1992 Election Results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  8. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  9. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  10. "Rhode Island Board of Elections: Elections & Voting". Elections.state.ri.us. 1998-11-03. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  11. "2002 election results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  12. "RI State House 30 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  13. "RI State House 30 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  14. "RI State House 30 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  15. "2008 election results". RI Secretary of State. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
  16. "RI State House 30 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  17. "Rhode Island's Robert Watson In Hot Water Over Gay Guatemalan 'Joke'". Ontopmag.com. 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  18. "Robert Watson's Original Political Encounter With Medical Marijuana". Anchor Rising. 2011-04-26. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  19. "H6052". Rilin.state.ri.us. 2005-03-01. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  20. "RI Speaker of the House Race - Jan 07, 2003". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-01-24.
  21. "Robert Watson Faces Drug Charges". Huffington Post. 2011-04-25. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  22. "Police: Test shows cocaine, THC in RI Rep. Watson's urine". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  23. http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/01/23/watson-arrest-report-012312.pdf
  24. "Police report: Ex-lawmaker Watson found naked, bleeding in neighbor's house". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  26. | Thursday, May 5th 2016 | First on 10: Former RI lawmaker Robert Watson accused of vandalism at bank | NBC 10 News |
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