Joseph R. Paolino Jr. (born April 26, 1955) is an American politician and diplomat who was the former 33rd mayor of Providence, Rhode Island and US Ambassador to Malta.

"Buddy" Cianci Jr. was removed from office after pleading no contest to felony charges and given a five-year suspended sentence.

In 1990, Paolino ran for Governor of Rhode Island, but lost to Bruce Sundlun in the Democratic Primary.

He ran for the United States House of Representatives in Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district in 1996, but lost the Democratic primary to then Lieutenant Governor Robert Weygand.

His father, Joseph R. Paolino Sr., was a prominent Rhode Island real estate dealer and developer.