He attended East Providence High School and received a degree in journalism and political science from the University of Rhode Island in 1990.

Dawson won the Democratic primary in September, fending off progressive activist and entrepreneur, San Shoppell.

In November 2022, Dawson won the general election by a convincing margin against Republican John "Jack" Peters.

[1] Following Dawson's work in the public sector as a prosecutor, he was hired by Lynch & Pine, a Providence-based criminal defense firm.

[5][1] Dawson lives in the Riverside neighborhood of East Providence with his wife Bethany, daughters Kelsea and Abby, and a dog named Pippa.