Seth Magaziner ’06, the 30-year-old son of Clinton administration adviser and Open Curriculum architect Ira Magaziner ’69 P’06 P’07 P’10, announced he will run for Rhode Island General Treasurer next year in a video released Tuesday morning on his website.
Gina Raimondo, the current treasurer, is widely expected to run for governor next year, a move that would leave the post vacated.
Magaziner will face former treasurer Frank Caprio and former state auditor Ernie Almonte in the race for the Democratic nomination. No Republicans or independents have announced a campaign.
“We can’t expect the same State House insiders who created this mess to get us out of it,” Magaziner said in his video. He called for fresh leadership on Smith Hill, setting himself apart from his two opponents, who have both previously held elected office.
Magaziner said he will focus on building infrastructure, pushing for financial accountability and transparency and supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, according to his campaign website.
“I understand our obligation to foster a system in which hardworking folks can create opportunities for their families,” Magaziner said in his video.
Magaziner grew up in Bristol, R.I., graduated from Brown in 2006 and currently serves as the vice president of Trillium Asset Management, an investment firm that aims to promote social responsibility. He also serves on the boards of Crossroads Rhode Island, a homeless services provider, and Serve Rhode Island, according to his campaign website.
During his time at Brown, Magaziner, a history concentrator, was president of the Brown Democrats and served on the University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice, the group that ultimately produced the Slavery and Justice report. At the time, Magaziner said he was unsure about whether he wanted to pursue politics after graduation despite his family’s legacy of public service, according to the Brown Alumni Magazine.
After graduation, Magaziner taught literacy and social studies at a Louisiana elementary school for Teach for America before entering the Master of Business Administration program at Yale in 2008, according to the Providence Journal. He joined Trillium in 2010, where he now oversees more than $1 billion in investments, according to Rhode Island Public Radio.
Magaziner “seems like the kind of person progressives would like to see run for public office,” wrote Bob Plain, editor and publisher of Rhode Island’s Future, in reaction to the announcement.
Information about Magaziner’s campaign funds is not yet public, as his first fundraising report is due Oct. 31, the Journal reported.
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