Representative Matthew S. Dawson represents District 65 in East Providence, Rhode Island, in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, a position he has held since January 2023. Born on January 12, 1968, in East Providence, he is an attorney, former prosecutor, and owner of The Red Door restaurant in Providence. Notable achievements include over 20 years as a prosecutor in Rhode Island's Attorney General office, where he served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and Chief of the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit; serving as a probate judge for East Providence from 2012 to 2014; and being named the Providence Journal's People's Choice Attorney of the Year in 2019. He currently serves as Second Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and is a member of the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee, House State Government and Elections Committee, and House Special Legislation Committee. Key legislative accomplishments include sponsoring the Human Trafficking Prevention Notice and Training Act , protecting election officials from threats , enabling burial of high-voltage power lines between Bold Point Park and India Point Park , protecting tuition savings plans from judicial attachment , and expanding mail ballot access for voters with disabilities .

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended East Providence High School; earned a degree in journalism and political science from the University of Rhode Island in 1990; received a juris doctor from New England School of Law in Boston in 1995.
• Political Experience: Prosecutor for Rhode Island Attorney General's office ; Probate Judge for East Providence ; Elected to Rhode Island House of Representatives, District 65 ; House committee roles as noted above.