Donna Nesselbush
Encyclopedia
Donna M. Nesselbush is an American lawyer, judge and politician from Pawtucket, Rhode Island
. A Democrat
, she serves in the Rhode Island Senate
, representing the 15th district. She took office on January 4, 2011.
A graduate of Brown University
(class of 1984), Nesselbush worked as executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence from 1984 to 1991. She attended Suffolk University School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor
in 1991. A founding partner of the law firm of Marasco & Nesselbush, she has been an active member of the Rhode Island Bar Association
, chairing its social security committee. She was appointed an associate municipal court judge in Pawtucket in 2004 and has served since.
In 2010, she declared her candidacy for the 15th district seat in the Rhode Island Senate. Incumbent John F. McBurney III
, a fellow Democrat and fellow judge of the Pawtucket municipal court, subsequently announced that he would not be seeking a nineteenth term in office. Nesselbush won both the primary and general elections unopposed.
Nesselbush is openly gay. She is one of four openly LGBT members of the Rhode Island General Assembly
, alongside House Speaker Gordon D. Fox
(D–Providence
), Rep. Frank Ferri
(D–Warwick
) and Rep. Deb Ruggiero
(D–Jamestown
).
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, she serves in the Rhode Island Senate
Rhode Island Senate
The Rhode Island Senate is the upper house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 38 Senators, each of whom is elected to a two-year term. Rhode Island is one of the 14 states where its upper house serves at a two-year...
, representing the 15th district. She took office on January 4, 2011.
A graduate of Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
(class of 1984), Nesselbush worked as executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence from 1984 to 1991. She attended Suffolk University School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1991. A founding partner of the law firm of Marasco & Nesselbush, she has been an active member of the Rhode Island Bar Association
Rhode Island Bar Association
The Rhode Island Bar Association is the integrated bar association of the U.S. state of Rhode Island.-Organization:...
, chairing its social security committee. She was appointed an associate municipal court judge in Pawtucket in 2004 and has served since.
In 2010, she declared her candidacy for the 15th district seat in the Rhode Island Senate. Incumbent John F. McBurney III
John F. McBurney III
John F. McBurney III was a Democratic member of the Rhode Island Senate, representing the 15th district from 1974 to 2010.McBurney first won election to the Senate in 1974, replacing his father, John F. McBurney Jr., who had represented Pawtucket for 16 years.He announced his retirement from the...
, a fellow Democrat and fellow judge of the Pawtucket municipal court, subsequently announced that he would not be seeking a nineteenth term in office. Nesselbush won both the primary and general elections unopposed.
Nesselbush is openly gay. She is one of four openly LGBT members of the Rhode Island General Assembly
Rhode Island General Assembly
The State of Rhode Island General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. A bicameral body, it is composed of the lower Rhode Island House of Representatives with 75 representatives, and the upper Rhode Island Senate with 38 senators...
, alongside House Speaker Gordon D. Fox
Gordon D. Fox
Gordon D. Fox is an American politician from Providence, Rhode Island and the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. A Democrat, he was first elected to the legislature in 1992 and was elected speaker on February 11, 2010....
(D–Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
), Rep. Frank Ferri
Frank Ferri
Frank G. Ferri is an American politician who is a Democratic member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing the 22nd district since a special election in November 2007...
(D–Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
) and Rep. Deb Ruggiero
Deb Ruggiero
Deborah L. Ruggiero , commonly known as Deb Ruggiero, is an American radio personality and politician from Jamestown, Rhode Island. A Democrat, she serves in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing the 74th district, which contains all of Jamestown and part of Middletown...
(D–Jamestown
Jamestown, Rhode Island
Jamestown is a town located in Newport County, Rhode Island, in the United States. The population was 5,405 at the 2010 census. Jamestown is situated almost entirely on Conanicut Island, the second largest island in Narragansett Bay.-History:...
).