2023 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district special election
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The 2023 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district special election was held on November 7, 2023.[1] The seat became vacant following incumbent Democratic representative David Cicilline's resignation on May 31, 2023, to become the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.[2] This was the first congressional special election in Rhode Island since the 1967 2nd district special election and the first special election in the 1st district since 1935.
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November 7, 2023
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Rhode Island's 1st congressional district | |||||||||||||||||
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 Municipality results Amo: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% Leonard: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1st district typically elects Democrats. Cicilline was re-elected with 64.0% of the vote in 2022, while Joe Biden won the district with 63.8% of the vote in 2020.[3] The last time a Republican was elected to represent the 1st district was in 1992, when Ronald Machtley won re-election for a third term. Gabe Amo became the first African American to represent Rhode Island in Congress following the election.[4] Amo has worked in different governmental roles, most recently working in the Biden administration in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.[5] Leonard served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 30 years, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Somalia.[6]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Gabe Amo, former deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (2021–2023)[7]
Eliminated in primary
- Stephanie Beauté, insurance software executive and candidate for Rhode Island Secretary of State in 2022[8]
- Walter Berbrick, former Naval War College professor[8]
- Sandra Cano, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[8]
- Stephen Casey, state representative from the 50th district (2013–present)[8]
- Spencer Dickinson, former state representative from the 35th district (2011–2015), candidate for governor in 2018, and candidate for the 2nd district in 2022[8]
- John Goncalves, Providence city councilor[8]
- Sabina Matos, lieutenant governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)[8]
- Ana Quezada, state senator from the 2nd district (2017–present)[8]
- Aaron Regunberg, former state representative from the 4th district (2015–2019), nephew of U.S. Representative Brad Schneider, and candidate for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island in 2018[8]
- Allen Waters, investment consultant, Republican nominee for this district in 2022 and for U.S. Senate in 2020[8]
Withdrawn
- Nick Autiello, climate change activist, business executive, and former economic development staffer in the Raimondo administration [8][9] (endorsed Matos)[10]
- Pamela Azar, Lincoln town councilor[11] (endorsed Quezada)[12]
- Nathan Biah, state representative from the 3rd district (2021–present)[13] (running for state senate)[14]
- Donald Carlson, senior executive director of the Tsai Leadership Program at Yale Law School and former aide to then-U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy II[8] (endorsed Cano, remained on ballot)[15]
- Paul LeBon, author, former Nashua, New Hampshire, alderman, and nominee for Texas's 26th congressional district in 2002[8][16]
Disqualified
- Marvin Abney, state representative from the 73rd district (2013–present)[8][17]
- Mickeda Barnes, bus driver[8][17]
- Kathleen Gaskell, office manager[8][17]
- Larry Hutchinson Jr.[8][17]
- Gregory Mundy, clinical project manager[8][17]
- Bella Machado Noka, Narragansett elder[8][17]
- Toni Sfameni[8][17]
- Michael Tillinghast, catering server[8][17]
Declined
- Karen Alzate, state representative from the 60th district (2019–present)[18] (endorsed Cano)[19]
- Gregg Amore, Rhode Island Secretary of State (2023–present)[20]
- Sam Bell, state senator from the 5th district (2019–present)[21] (endorsed Cano)[22]
- Roberto DaSilva, mayor of East Providence (2019–present)[23][24]
- James Diossa, Rhode Island General Treasurer (2023–present)[25][20] (endorsed Cano)[26]
- Louis DiPalma, state senator from the 12th district (2009–present)[18] (endorsed Cano)[27]
- Brendan Doherty, former Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Republican nominee for this district in 2012[28]
- Jorge Elorza, former mayor of Providence (2015–2023)[29]
- Dawn Euer, state senator from the 13th district (2017–present)[29] (endorsed Cano)[30]
- Helena Foulkes, corporate executive and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022[31]
- Don Grebien, mayor of Pawtucket (2011–present)[32] (endorsed Cano)[33]
- Meghan Kallman, state senator from the 15th district (2021–present)[29] (endorsed Cano)[34]
- Katherine Kazarian, state representative from the 63rd district (2013–present)[29][20]
- Xay Khamsyvoravong, mayor of Newport[23] (endorsed Amo)[19]
- Nirva LaFortune, former Providence city councilor and candidate for mayor of Providence in 2022[20][35]
- Valarie Lawson, state senator from the 14th district (2019–present)[36] (endorsed Cano)[37]
- Patrick Lynch, former Rhode Island Attorney General (2003–2011)[20][19] (endorsed Amo)[38]
- Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)[18]
- Cynthia Mendes, former state senator from the 8th district (2021–2023) and candidate for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island in 2022[29][39]
- Jeff Mutter, mayor of Cumberland[40] (endorsed Cano)[41]
- Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General (2019–present)[25][42]
- Joseph R. Paolino Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Malta (1994–1996) and former mayor of Providence (1984–1991)[29]
- Clay Pell, lawyer, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education, and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014[25][43]
- Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2021–present) and former governor of Rhode Island (2015–2021)[20]
- Maria Rivera, mayor of Central Falls (2021–present)[44]
- Joe Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (2021–present)[39]
- Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence (2023–present)[20]
- Angel Taveras, former mayor of Providence (2011–2015) and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014[29]
Endorsements
Nick Autiello (withdrawn)
Organizations
- LGBTQ Victory Fund (co-endorsement with Carlson)[45]
Gabe Amo
Federal officials
- Ron Klain, former White House Chief of Staff (2021–2023)[46]
U.S. representatives
- Patrick J. Kennedy, former U.S. representative from RI-01 (1995-2011)[47]
Statewide officials
- Patrick Lynch, former attorney general of Rhode Island (2003–2011)[48]
Local officials
- Xay Khamsyvoravong, mayor of Newport (2022–present)[19]
- Jon Mitchell, mayor of New Bedford (2012–present)[49]
Organizations
- Collective PAC[50]
- Congressional Black Caucus PAC[51]
Labor unions
- United Auto Workers Rhode Island[19]
Newspapers
Pamela Azar (withdrawn)
Organizations
Stephen Casey
Organizations
- Rhode Island Fraternal Order of Police[19]
Sandra Cano
Statewide officials
- James Diossa, Rhode Island General Treasurer (2023–present) (Cano's fiancé)[26]
State legislators
Local officials
- Don Grebien, mayor of Pawtucket (2010–present)[33]
- Charles Lombardi, mayor of North Providence (2007–present)[54]
- William Murray, former mayor of Cumberland (2015–2018)[19]
Labor unions
- National Education Association Rhode Island[19]
- Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals[55]
- United Nurses and Allied Professionals[51]
Individuals
- Donald Carlson, senior executive director of the Tsai Leadership Program at Yale Law School and former 2023 candidate for this seat[15]
Donald Carlson (withdrawn)
U.S. representatives
- Jim Himes, U.S. representative from CT-4 (2009–present)[19]
Local officials
- Annise Parker, former mayor of Houston (2000–2016) and president of LGBTQ Victory Fund[19]
Organizations
- LGBTQ Victory Fund (co-endorsement with Autiello)[45]
Sabina Matos
U.S. representatives
- Adriano Espaillat, U.S. representative from NY-13 (2017–present)[19]
- Lois Frankel, U.S. representative from FL-22 (2013–present)[56]
- Pat Ryan, U.S. representative from NY-18 (2022–present)[19]
- Linda Sánchez, U.S. representative from CA-38 (2003–present)[57]
Statewide officials
- Elizabeth H. Roberts, former lieutenant governor of Rhode Island (2007–2015)[58]
State legislators
- Grace Diaz, state representative from the 11th district (2005–present)[58]
- Ramon Perez, state representative from the 13th district (2017–2019, 2021–present)[58]
- Myrth York, former state senator from the 2nd district (1991–1995)[58]
Individuals
- Eva Longoria, actress and director[59]
- Luis A. Miranda Jr., founder of Hispanic Federation and Latino Victory Fund board member[19]
Organizations
Labor unions
Ana Quezada
State legislators
- Jose Batista, state representative from the 12th district (2021–present)[19]
- Jeanine Calkin, former state senator from the 30th district (2017–2018, 2021–2023) (her policy co-chair)[19]
- Enrique Sanchez, state representative from the 9th district (2023–present)[19]
- Scott Slater, state representative from the 10th district (2009–present)[19]
Local officials
- Pamela Azar, Lincoln town councilor (2019–present) and former 2023 candidate for this seat[12]
- Justin Roias, Providence City Councilor from the 4th ward (2023–present)[12]
Aaron Regunberg
U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007–present)[63]
U.S. representatives
- Greg Casar, U.S. representative from TX-35 (2023–present)[19]
- Rosa DeLauro, U.S. representative from CT-3 (1991–present)[64]
- Jared Huffman, U.S. representative from CA-2 (2013–present)[19]
- Ro Khanna, U.S. representative from CA-17 (2017–present)[65]
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. representative from NY-14 (2019–present)[66]
- Delia Ramirez, U.S. representative from IL-3 (2023–present)[19]
- Jamie Raskin, U.S. representative from MD-8 (2017–present)[19]
- Jan Schakowsky, U.S. representative from IL-9 (2009–present)[65]
State legislators
- J. Clement Cicilline, former state senator (1993–2003), uncle of David Cicilline[19]
- Chris Larson, Wisconsin State Senator from the 11th district (2011–present) and former Wisconsin senate minority leader[67]
- Tiara Mack, Member of the Rhode Island Senate from the 6th district (2021–present)[19]
- Linda Ujifusa, state senator from the 50th district (2023–present)[19]
- 10 state representatives[19][67][68][69][70]
Local officials
- Susan Anderbois, Providence City Councilor from the 3rd ward (2023–present)[69]
- Helen Anthony, Providence City Councilor from the 2nd ward (2019–present)[69]
- Rachel Miller, Providence City Council President (2023–present) from the 13th ward (2018–present)[71]
Individuals
- Vanessa Carlton, singer[19]
- Steven Donziger, human rights lawyer[67]
- Jane Fonda, actress and activist[19]
Labor unions
Organizations
- 350.org Climate Action Rhode Island[19]
- Center for Biological Diversity[73]
- Climate Hawks Vote[74]
- Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC[19]
- Freethought Equality Fund[75]
- Friends of the Earth Action[73]
- Food & Water Action[73]
- J Street PAC[76]
- Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs[77]
- Our Revolution[19]
- Progressive Democrats of America[78]
- Rhode Island Working Families Party[79]
Declined to endorse
U.S. representatives
- David Cicilline, former U.S. representative from RI-01 (2011–2023)[80]
- Brad Schneider, U.S. representative from IL-10 (2013–2015, 2017–present) (Regunberg's uncle)[81]
Political parties
Labor unions
Organizations
- Rhode Island Democratic Socialists of America[83]
Newspapers
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of August 16, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Gabe Amo (D) | $604,406 | $449,164 | $155,242 |
| Stephanie Beauté (D) | $16,201 | $11,144 | $5,056 |
| Walter Berbrick (D) | $183,456 | $132,976 | $50,480 |
| Sandra Cano (D) | $307,352 [b] | $247,796 | $59,556 |
| Stephen Casey (D) | $87,008 | $48,646 | $1,817 |
| John Gonclaves (D) | $190,236 | $164,644 | $25,592 |
| Sabina Matos (D) | $578,972 [c] | $452,718 | $126,254 |
| Ana Quezada (D) | $87,255 | $57,869 | $29,385 |
| Aaron Regunberg (D) | $629,821 | $438,556 | $191,265 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[85] | |||
Debates and candidate forums
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
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| Gabe Amo | Stephanie Beauté | Walter Berbrick | Sandra Cano | Donald Carlson | Stephen Casey | Spencer Dickinson | John Goncalves | Sabina Matos | Ana Quezada | Aaron Regunberg | Allen Waters | |||||
| 1 | Jul. 19, 2023 | Ray-ality TV | Raymond Baccari Jr. Ryan Lukowicz |
YouTube (part 1) YouTube (part 2) |
P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
| 2 | Aug. 17, 2023 | Roger Williams University | Edward Fitzpatrick Steph Machado |
YouTube | P | P | P | P | P | P | N | P | P | P | P | N |
| 3 | Aug. 22, 2023 | Rhode Island College Rhode Island PBS The Providence Journal The Public's Radio |
Patrick Anderson Ian Donnis |
YouTube | P | P | P | P | P | P | N | P | P | P | P | N |
| 4[86] | Aug. 31, 2023 | WJAR | Brian Crandall | YouTube | N | P | N | P | W | P | N | N | N | P | P | P |
| 5 | Sep. 1, 2023 | WJAR | Brian Crandall | YouTube | P | N | P | N | W | N | P | P | P | N | N | N |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Marvin Abney | Gabe Amo | Nick Autiello | Sandra Cano | Don Carlson | John Goncalves | Sabina Matos | Aaron Regunberg | Other | Undecided | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlson withdraws from the race | ||||||||||||||||
| Global Strategy Group (D)[87] [A] | August 15–17, 2023 | 451 (V) | – | – | 19% | – | 11% | 8% | – | 11% | 28% | 8%[e] | 15% | |||
| Autiello withdraws from the race | ||||||||||||||||
| Abney is disqualified from the race | ||||||||||||||||
| Lake Research Partners (D)[88] [B] | July 12–16, 2023 | 300 (V) | – | 4% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 2% | 4% | 20% | 12% | – | 33% | |||
| RMG Research[89][C] | June 28–30, 2023 | 300 (LV) | ± 5.7% | – | 8% | – | – | 3% | – | 17% | 22% | – | 48% | |||
| Expedition Strategies[90][D] | June 5–8, 2023 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 6% | 2% | 5% | 22% | 9% | 4%[f] | 43% | |||
Results
Amo
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
Regunberg
- 20–30%
Cano
- 30–40%
Casey
- 30–40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gabe Amo | 12,946 | 32.4 | |
| Democratic | Aaron Regunberg | 9,960 | 24.9 | |
| Democratic | Sandra Cano | 5,574 | 13.9 | |
| Democratic | Sabina Matos | 3,210 | 8.0 | |
| Democratic | Stephen Casey | 2,329 | 5.8 | |
| Democratic | Walter Berbrick | 1,453 | 3.6 | |
| Democratic | Ana Quezada | 1,415 | 3.5 | |
| Democratic | John Goncalves | 1,118 | 2.8 | |
| Democratic | Donald Carlson (withdrawn) | 690 | 1.7 | |
| Democratic | Allen Waters | 503 | 1.3 | |
| Democratic | Stephanie Beauté | 428 | 1.1 | |
| Democratic | Spencer Dickinson | 354 | 0.9 | |
| Total votes | 39,980 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Gerry Leonard Jr., operations executive and retired U.S. Marine Corps officer[92]
Eliminated in primary
- Terri Flynn, former Middletown town councilor[8]
Disqualified
Declined
- Robert Flanders, former Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court (1996–2004) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018[28]
- Aaron Guckian, fundraising consultant, former aide to then-governor Donald Carcieri, and nominee for lieutenant governor of Rhode Island in 2022[93]
- John Loughlin, former state representative from the 71st district (2005–2010) and nominee for this district in 2010[28]
- Brian Newberry, state representative from the 48th district (2009–present) and former RI House Minority Leader (2011–2017)[94]
Endorsements
Gerry Leonard Jr.
State legislators
- Jessica de la Cruz, Minority Leader of the Rhode Island Senate (2022–present) from the 23rd district (2019–present)[19]
Political parties
Debate and forum
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Republican |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||
| Terri Flynn | Gerry Leonard | |||||
| 1 | Aug. 24, 2023 | The Providence Journal The Public's Radio Rhode Island PBS |
Patrick Anderson Ian Donnis |
YouTube | P | P |
| 2 | Sep. 1, 2023 | WJAR | Gene Valicenti | YouTube | P | P |
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of August 16, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Gerry Leonard Jr. (R) | $122,221[g] | $11,138 | $111,082 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[85] | |||
Results
Leonard Jr.
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- >90%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gerry Leonard Jr. | 3,076 | 75.7 | |
| Republican | Terri Flynn | 989 | 24.3 | |
| Total votes | 4,065 | 100.0 | ||
Independents
Disqualified
- Stephen Earle[96][17]
- Joseph Jean-Philippe, community college instructor[96][17]
- Jeffrey Lemire, construction worker and perennial candidate[96][17]
- Richard O'Shea, nurse[96][17]
- C. D. Reynolds[96][17]
- Paul Rianna Jr., nursing assistant and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022[96][17]
- John Dale Ritchie[96][17]
- Julian J. Smith, IT manager[96][17]
- John Vitkevich, realtor and community activist[96][17]
Declined
- Arlene Violet, former Republican Rhode Island Attorney General (1985–1987)[97][98]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[99] | Safe D | February 23, 2023 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[100] | Safe D | February 22, 2023 |
| The Cook Political Report[101] | Safe D | July 25, 2023 |
| Politico[102] | Safe D | August 29, 2023 |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Gabe Amo (D) |
Gerry Leonard (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salve Regina University/Embold Research[103] | October 12–17, 2023 | 386 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 46% | 35% | 15% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gabe Amo | 43,290 | 64.73 | +0.70 | |
| Republican | Gerry Leonard Jr. | 23,393 | 34.98 | −0.78 | |
| Write-in | 193 | 0.29 | +0.06 | ||
| Total votes | 66,876 | 100.00 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
By county | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See also
Notes
- 5 from Rhode Island, 1 from New Hampshire
- $80,000 of this total was self-funded by Cano
- $20,000 of this total was self-funded by Matos
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - "Another candidate not mentioned here" with 8%
- Stephen Casey and Ana Quezada with 2%; Walter Berbick with 0%
- $50,000 of this total was self-funded by Leonard