Gabriel Amo Makes History as First Person of Color Elected to Congress in Rhode Island
Gabriel Amo, a former Obama and Biden administration official, emerged victorious in a heated special primary election for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District on Tuesday. Amo’s win positions him to become the first person of color to represent the state in Congress.
Amo, a moderate Democrat who is black, surpassed the competition of 10 other Democrats to secure the win with approximately one-third of the vote in the deep-blue district. His victory almost guarantees that he will succeed former Representative David N. Cicilline, who stepped down in May to assume the presidency of the Rhode Island Foundation.
In his celebratory remarks following the win, Mr. Amo stated, “I said from Day 1 that Rhode Islanders deserve someone who can be effective from Day 1. I’m going to use all that experience that I’ve built in Washington and working here in Rhode Island to connect to the key priorities of so many people throughout the First District.”
Amo’s message clearly resonated with voters, providing him with a solid mandate heading into the general election. On November 7, he will face off against Gerry Leonard, a former U.S. Marine and the Republican nominee, as the two candidates seek to determine who will serve out the remainder of Mr. Cicilline’s term.
The primary race was marked by its raucous nature, with numerous scandals and tensions within the Democratic Party unfolding during an otherwise quiet political summer season. Due to the absence of independent public polling and the presence of a large number of candidates dividing the vote, political observers found it challenging to predict the outcome of the race.
Aaron Regunberg, a former state legislator considered a progressive favorite, had the backing of Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez but ultimately fell short against Amo. Regunberg plans to join Public Citizen, a progressive organization, as a climate policy advocate following his defeat.
Despite starting the race with little name recognition across Rhode Island, Gabriel Amo’s campaign gained significant momentum with over $600,000 in donations from individuals and super PACs. Amo utilized his professional background, including working for former Governor Gina Raimondo, now the U.S. secretary of commerce, and his upbringing in Rhode Island, to rally support.
Speaking of his motivation to run, Amo emphasized his personal story, saying, “The big reason I’m running is my story. I call it a Rhode Island story.” Raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the 35-year-old son of West African immigrants highlighted his journey from chasing buses to get to school as a child to working in the Oval Office under two presidents.
Throughout his campaign, Amo prioritized issues such as protecting Social Security and Medicare, addressing gun violence, advocating for abortion rights, and combating climate change.
With his historic win, Gabriel Amo brings renewed hope and representation to Rhode Island’s diverse population. As the general election approaches, the nation will closely watch the competition between Amo and Gerry Leonard, shaping the future direction of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District.