Jeanine Calkin is an American politician from the state of Rhode Island. A member of the Democratic Party, she is a former Rhode Island State Senator. Calkin serves as co-chair of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, a progressive organization.[1]

Jeanine Calkin
Member of the Rhode Island Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 5, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byMark McKenney
Succeeded byMark McKenney
In office
January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2018
Preceded byWilliam Walaska
Succeeded byMark McKenney
Personal details
BornJohnston, Rhode Island
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDaniel
ResidenceWarwick, Rhode Island
EducationJohnson & Wales University (B.A)
Bryant University (M.A.)

Early life and education

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Calkin is from Johnston, Rhode Island. She graduated from Johnston Senior High School in 1987. Calkin first attended the University of Rhode Island before transferring to Johnson & Wales University, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science. Calkin went on to receive a Master's Degree in Information Services from Bryant University.

During her career, she worked in the billing departments for Rhode Island Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center, the IT department of Johnson & Wales, as a programmer for GTECH Corporation, and a project manager for Analog Devices.

Political career

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Calkin and her husband formed their own company before she decided to start Rhode Island for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 United States Presidential Election.[2] Calkin later organized on behalf of Sanders during his 2020 Presidential Campaign.[3][4]

Calkin ran for the Rhode Island Senate in 2016, defeating William Walaska. She lost renomination for her seat to Mark McKenney in 2018.[5] She ran against McKenney again in 2020, and won.[6] She was subsequently defeated in the 2022 primary by McKenney once again.[7]

Personal life

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Calkin and her husband, Daniel, have lived in Warwick, Rhode Island, since 2012.[2] Her right leg was amputated in April 2021 after a life-threatening infection due to blood clots.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "'I am not in some sort of progressive civil war,' R.I. Political Cooperative co-founder says - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Dolan, Kelcy (July 5, 2016). "Calkin runs to align General Assembly with voter values | Warwick Beacon". Warwickonline.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  3. ^ "The Women Challenging State House Leadership and the Progressives Supporting Them: An interview with Senator-elect Jeanine Calkin - Motif". motifri.com. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  4. ^ Anderson, Patrick. "Bernie Sanders announces R.I. endorsements". providencejournal.com. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  5. ^ Patrick Anderson (September 12, 2018). "McKenney defeats Sen. Calkin in Warwick Democratic primary - News - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI". providencejournal.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  6. ^ "With final results, progressives score a series of primary victories for RI General Assembly". September 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "Progressives Fall Short in Final Primaries". September 16, 2022.
  8. ^ "Doctors Amputate Sen. Jeanine Calkin's Leg to Save Her Life". April 26, 2021.
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