Former White House Aide Gabe Amo and U.S. Marine Veteran Gerry Leonard to Face Off in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District Special Election

Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District special election saw former White House aide Gabe Amo come out on top in a crowded Democratic primary on Tuesday. Amo, who was endorsed by former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden, beat out 10 other Democratic candidates, including former state Rep. Aaron Regunberg, to move on to the November general election.

On the Republican side, Gerry Leonard, a U.S. Marine veteran and political newcomer, defeated fellow candidate Terri Flynn, a former town council member. Leonard and Amo will now face off in the special election, with the winner becoming the first Black person to ever represent Rhode Island in Congress.

Amo, who served in the White House under both Obama and Biden, ran on a platform of economic and racial justice, and was endorsed by numerous progressive groups. He was also endorsed by the state’s two Democratic senators, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, as well as the state Democratic Party.

Leonard, who has never held public office, ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and limited government. He was endorsed by the state Republican Party and the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The special election will take place on November 2nd, and the winner will fill the seat left vacant by the death of former Rep. David Cicilline in April. With the general election just weeks away, both candidates are expected to ramp up their campaigns in the coming days.