After graduate school, Magaziner worked at Trillium Asset Management as a vice president.[12]
Magaziner was active in the successful campaign for same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. He served as a board member of Marriage Equality Rhode Island.[7][17]
Magaziner serves on the board of directors of Crossroads Rhode Island, a homeless service organization.[18] He previously served on the board of directors of Common Cause Rhode Island.[4]
Rhode Island General Treasurer
On October 22, 2013, Magaziner announced his candidacy for Rhode Island general treasurer.[4] He won the Democratic nomination in the September 9 primary election, defeating former treasurer Frank Caprio.[19] Magaziner was elected in the November 2014 general election, defeating Independent candidate Ernest A. Almonte.[20]
In his first months in office, Magaziner developed a plan to establish the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) to finance green infrastructure projects.[21]
In June 2015, Magaziner launched a transparency initiative for the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI).[22] In 2015, the treasurer's office announced it was pursuing two class-action lawsuits against fossil fuel industry companies BP and Plains All American[23] for oil spills that allegedly harmed investors and the environment.
In February 2016, Magaziner was selected as chair of the Financial Literacy Committee for the National Association of State Treasurers.[24]
On September 14, 2021, Magaziner announced his candidacy in the 2022 Rhode Island gubernatorial election, focusing on abortion rights, clean energy, reducing gun violence, education, and mandatory coronavirus vaccination for all state and school employees. The incumbent, Dan McKee, had not yet filed for reelection.[25]
On January 26, 2022, Magaziner withdrew from the gubernatorial election and instead announced he would run to represent Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives after longtime incumbent James Langevin announced his retirement.[26] Magaziner was a resident of the 1st congressional district but moved to a rented house in Cranston after his opponents criticized him for not living in the district, though federal law requires a representative only to be a resident of the state.[27] He defeated five other candidates in the September 13 Democratic primary with over 50% of the vote. On November 8, 2022, Magaziner won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Allan Fung, a former mayor of Cranston and two-time Republican nominee for governor.[28]
Tenure
COVID-19 policy
On January 31, 2023, Magaziner voted against H.R.497, also known as the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers.[29][30]
On February 1, 2023, Magaziner voted against a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency.[31][32]
Foreign policy
In 2023, Magaziner voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[33][34] Later that year, he voted against a ban on cluster munitions to Ukraine.[35][36]
Traffic safety
In 2024, Magaziner introduced the Biking Instruction, Knowledge, and Education (BIKE) Act. The act would ensure that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grants can be used for bicycle education and safety programs.[37]
Voting rights
On February 9, 2023, Magaziner voted against H.J.Res. 24: Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, which condemns the District of Columbia's plan to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.[38][39]