| David J. Place | |
| Office: | Minority Whip of the Rhode Island House of Representatives |
| Term Start: | June 23, 2022 |
| Preceded: | Michael Chippendale |
| Office1: | Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from the 47th district |
| Term Start1: | January 3, 2018 |
| Preceded1: | Cale Keable |
| Office2: | Member of the Burrillville Town Council |
| Term Start2: | 2010 |
| Term End2: | 2018 |
| Party: | Republican |
| Birth Date: | 20 October 1977 |
| Birth Place: | Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | Rhode Island College (BS) |
| Residence: | Burrillville, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Serviceyears: | 1996–2006 |
| Rank: | Staff Sergeant |
| Battles: | Iraq War |
David J. Place (born October 20, 1977) is an American politician currently serving as the Rhode Island House of Representatives minority whip and representative for Rhode Island House of Representatives 47th district, serving since 2018. This district composes of most of Burrillville, where Place lives. Place is a member of the Republican Party.[1]
Place was born in Biloxi, Mississippi to a single mother. Place was raised moving between the towns of Swansea, Massachusetts, Watertown, Massachusetts, and Preston, Connecticut. Place graduated from Joseph Case High School in 1996.[2]
In August 1996, Place enlisted into the United States Army and in November 1996, Place graduated from the United States Army Armor School in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Place was assigned to serve in D Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Place served with D Company until 1998, when he was reassigned to A Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany.
On January 30, 2005, Place, now a Staff Sergeant and tank commander, was dispatched to protect a polling station during the first post-war parliamentary elections. Seeing the Iraqis voting inspired Place to pursue a career in politics when he returned home in 2010.[3]
Place married Erin Todisco in July 2007. They have two children. In 2010, Place graduated from Rhode Island College with a Bachelor's degree in accounting.
Place was first elected to the Burrillville Town Council in 2010, coming fourth place in the General Election, just narrowly defeating Jacqueline Zahn for the fourth and last seat on the council. Place was reelected in 2014, this time coming in second place. Place was also appointed as a member of the Harrisville Fire District Operations Committee in 2015 and elected to a full term in 2016, serving until 2018.
Place sought election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives 47th district seat in 2016, but was narrowly defeated by Cale Keable by a margin of just 2.2%.
Place again sought election to the Rhode Island House of Representatives 47th district seat in 2018, this time defeating Keable by a margin of 13.6%.
Place is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the House Veterans Affairs Committee, House Innovation, Internet and Technology Committee, House Oversight Committee, and House Rules Committee. He also served as a member of the House Committee on Municipal Government.
On June 23, 2022, Place was named House Minority Whip, following Minority Leader Blake Filippi stepping down and being replaced by former Minority Whip Michael Chippendale.[4] [5]