Sheldon Whitehouse is a Democratic senator from Rhode Island. He was first elected in 2006 and has since built a national profile on climate accountability, dark money, and judicial ethics.
Born October 20, 1955, in New York City, Whitehouse graduated from Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law. Before entering the Senate, he served as U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island and later as the state’s Attorney General, developing a reputation as an aggressive prosecutor and institutional watchdog.
In the Senate, he’s been one of the loudest voices on climate science, corporate pollution, and coastal resilience. He also pushes hard on campaign finance reform and Supreme Court ethics, arguing that concentrated money and influence undermine U.S. democracy.
Progressive
Achievements
- National leader in Senate climate policy, coastal resilience, and accountability for corporate polluters
- Pushed Supreme Court ethics and transparency reforms, including disclosure rules for justices
- Aggressive advocate for campaign finance reform and efforts to rein in dark money
- Consistent supporter of healthcare expansion and environmental justice initiatives
Controversies
- Faced criticism for past membership links to an exclusive, mostly white beach club in Rhode Island
- Hit by business groups for confrontational rhetoric toward fossil fuel producers and industry-aligned think tanks
- Moderates argue his climate investigations and oversight tactics are too adversarial and punitive
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| League of Conservation Voters | $192,861 | $175,799 | $17,062 |
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $147,208 | $132,208 | $15,000 |
| Technology Crossover Ventures | $109,500 | $109,500 | $0 |
| Motley Rice LLC | $83,903 | $83,903 | $0 |
| JStreetPAC | $83,459 | $72,459 | $11,000 |
Donor totals reflect organization-linked giving, including climate and legal advocacy groups.
Recent Elections
2006 Margin D +6%
2012 Margin D +30%
2018 Margin D +23%
2024 Margin D +20%