Gabriel Amo to Become First Black Lawmaker to Represent Rhode Island In Congress

Democrat Gabriel Amo won a special election in Rhode Island's first congressional district on Tuesday by 27 points, making him the first Black man to represent the state in Congress.

Amo is a former aide to President Joe Biden and beat out 12 candidates in a Democratic primary last September to gain the Democratic party's nomination. He will succeed former Rep. David Cicilline, who stepped down last summer to serve as president of the Rhode Island Foundation.

In a brief interview after his victory, Amo told The Messenger that the victory "was really meaninguful to people that I've encountered across the campaign."

He got a call from President Biden, who he worked for before he left to run for Congress. He told The Messenger that the call was "great," and that Biden "is someone who I respect greatly." He said he believes in the Biden agenda and that Democrats "have to continue to tell that story to Rhode Islanders and Americans."

With Congress in turmoil, Amo said that "you build a house brick by brick, and we need to do that in the House of Representatives. And having more solutions-oriented members who are focused on trying to serve their constituents is something I truly believe in."

Amo, the first Black man to represent Rhode Island in Congress, said "it is not lost on me that I stand on the shoulders of a lot of people who came before me. And because of their work, this is possible."

"I wasn't running to make history," he said. "I ran to make a difference. I know my presence alone plays a part in making that difference."

Amo faced Republican candidate Gerry Leonard, who garnered 36.5% of the vote.

Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, congratulated Amo on his election in a statement.

“I look forward to working alongside him to defend reproductive freedom, bolster our economy from the middle out, and fight for Rhode Island’s working families,” DelBene said.