Robert A. Watson (born October 14, 1960) is an American attorney and former Republican member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing the 30th District since 1992. His district includes parts of East Greenwich and West Greenwich. He is a former House Minority Leader. He was arrested twice for marijuana possession and was arrested for a third offense of vandalizing a bank. He resigned in the summer of 2012.[4]
Watson decided to run in Rhode Island's 22nd Senate District, based in East Greenwich and Warwick. In 1990, he ran for re-election but lost to Democrat Michael Lenihan by a narrow margin.[6]
1992–2000
After redistricting, he decided to run in the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1992 to the 43rd district. He defeated Democrat Linda Seiler and Independent David Zartarian.[7] In 1994, he won re-election to a second term defeating Democrat David Zartarian.[8] In 1996, he won re-election to a third term unopposed.[9] In 1998, he won re-election to a fourth term defeating Democrat Gregory DeGroot.[10] In 2000, he won re-election to a fifth term against Reform party nominee Timothy Miller.[1]
2002–present
Upon redistricting and downsizing of the RI House from 100 to 75 members in 2002, Watson ran in the newly redrawn 30th House District, based in East and West Greenwich. He won re-election to a sixth term unopposed.[11] He ran unopposed in 2004 to his seventh term.[12] In 2006, he won re-election to an eighth term with 57% of the vote.[13] In 2008, he won re-election to a ninth term 54%-46%,[14] winning in eight of nine precincts.[15] In 2010, he won re-election a tenth term with 57% of the vote.[16]
Tenure
In February 2011, he made a joke in private meeting saying "I guess that if you are a Guatemalangay man who likes to gamble and smokes marijuana, you probably think we're onto some good ideas here."[17]
During the 2009-2010 legislative session, Watson served on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee and the Joint Committee on Legislative Services.[5] He served as the chairman of the East Greenwich Republican Town Committee from 1990 to 1992. He's also on the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline.
Watson was stopped in East Haven, Connecticut at a police checkpoint on Friday, April 22, 2011. He was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after it was noted that a strong odor of marijuana was emanating from his car. He was also charged with driving under the influence.[21] After further analysis of his urine by the Connecticut Toxicological Lab, Watson's blood alcohol content was determined to be .07, below the legal limit of .08. Traces of marijuana and cocaine were also found.[22]
On Jan 22, 2012 Robert Watson was arrested in South Kingston, RI for possession of marijuana and related paraphernalia. He was found to also have 3 open containers of alcohol in his possession.[23]
On November 6, 2017 Watson was arrested for attacking a bank and then breaking and entering into a neighbor's home. According to the police report he was naked and bleeding at the time.[24][25][4]
