Robert Britto
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Robert Britto
| image = Robert_Britto_holiday_festivities.jpg
| state_senate = Rhode Island
| district = 18th
| predecessor = Cynthia Mendes
| term_start = January 3, 2023
| office2 = President of the East Providence City Council
| term_start2 = January 2019
| term_end2 = January 2023
| successor2 = Robert P. Rodericks
| office3 = Member of the East Providence City Council from Ward 1
| term_start3 = January 2015
| term_end3 = January 2023
| successor3 = Frank Rego
| birth_place = Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|7|1}}
| education = Stonehill College
| children = 4
| spouse = Danielle
| party = Democratic
}}
Robert Britto (born 1963), is an American politician and retail project manager. A Democrat, he represents District 18 in the Rhode Island State Senate. Britto previously served as the President of the City Council and as a city councilor of East Providence.{{Cite web |title=Senator Robert Britto|url=https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/britto/Pages/Biography.aspx|website=www.rilegislature.gov}}
Early life and education
Britto was born on July 1, 1963, in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated Stonehill College with a major in international studies and soon returned back to the Ocean State.{{Cite web |title=Robert Britto|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Britto|website=Ballotpedia}}
Career
Britto has worked in project management throughout his career, specifically in the retail and design field. As of 2023, Britto is employed by the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation as a design and construction specialist. The agency works to create healthy, attractive, and affordable homes across Rhode Island.{{Cite web |title=Senator Robert Britto|url=https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/britto/Pages/Biography.aspx|website=www.rilegislature.gov}}
East Providence City Council
Britto was elected to the East Providence City Council in 2014, representing Ward 1. He was re-elected shortly thereafter and was selected to be the council's Chairman in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Bob Britto Announces His Candidacy for Rhode Island State Senate-District 18|url=https://reportertoday.com/eastprovidence/stories/bob-britto-announces-his-candidacy-for-rhode-island-state-senate-district-18,35920|website=ReporterToday East Providence}}
Britto's work has been generally celebrated on the Council. Britto focused on traffic control, the promotion of diversity, raising teacher pay, and creating economical growth in the city's waterfront district. Britto was also a key factor in a city charter change which shifted its executive authority to a mayor instead of a city manager.{{Cite web |title=Senator Robert Britto|url=https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/britto/Pages/Biography.aspx|website=www.rilegislature.gov}}
Rhode Island Senate
Britto was sworn into the Rhode Island Senate in January 2023. He is a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture.{{Cite web |title=Senator Robert Britto|url=https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/britto/Pages/Biography.aspx|website=www.rilegislature.gov}}
Elections
= 2012 State House election =
Britto ran in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island's 63rd state house district in 2012. He placed second, losing to Katherine Kazarian by 220 votes.{{Cite web |title=Robert Britto|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Britto|website=Ballotpedia}}
= 2022 State Senate election =
Britto announced his campaign for the Rhode Island State Senate, succeeding Cynthia Mendes, the incumbent State Senator, who had launched an unsuccessful bid for the state's Lieutenant Governor post. Britto faced special education teacher and progressive activist, Gregory Greco, who was running with the support of Senator Mendes, in the Democratic primary. Britto edged out a thin primary win against Greco, with only a 326-vote margin.{{Cite web |title=Democratic candidates face off in District 18 primary|url=https://www.valleybreeze.com/townnews/politics/democratic-candidates-face-off-in-district-18-primary/article_477144d2-2cdd-11ed-a91c-6b42be1c6cc4.html|website=The Valley Breeze}}
Britto heralded over Republican Anna Peters in the November general election.{{Cite web |title=DaSilva wins re-election as Mayor; Amore takes R.I. Sec. of State; School Bonds Approved|url=https://www.reportertoday.com/stories/dasilva-wins-re-election-as-mayor-amore-takes-ri-sec-of-state-school-bonds-approved,40601|website=ReporterToday}}
Personal life and non-profit work
Britto has lived in the Rumford section of East Providence for over twenty years with his wife, Danielle. They have four children.{{Cite web |title=Senator Robert Britto|url=https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/britto/Pages/Biography.aspx|website=www.rilegislature.gov}}
Britto has been involved in numerous non-profit organizations including the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club, Fox Point Senior Citizens Center, and the Pew Charitable Trust Civic Entrepreneur initiative. Britto often assists with community events, including the Rumford Tree Lighting and the Rumford Holiday Festival.{{Cite web |title=Senator Robert Britto|url=https://www.rilegislature.gov/senators/britto/Pages/Biography.aspx|website=www.rilegislature.gov}}
Britto has also worked as a football coach for the Boys and Girls Club and as a basketball coach for Providence Country Days School.{{Cite web |title=Bob Britto Announces His Candidacy for Rhode Island State Senate-District 18
|url=https://reportertoday.com/eastprovidence/stories/bob-britto-announces-his-candidacy-for-rhode-island-state-senate-district-18,35920
|website=ReporterToday East Providence}}