On Tuesday, Democrat Gabe Amo defeated Republican Gerry Leonard to win Rhode Island's first congressional district seat as the first Black candidate elected to Congress.
Amo's victory came from a crowded Democratic field in the September primary with more than 32% of the vote.
Gabe Amo Wins in Congress
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - NOVEMBER 07: Voters fill out their ballots at the U.S. Air Force MEPS Liaison building on November 07, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi. After months of candidates campaigning, the state of Mississippi is voting today in the Governor’s race between Gov. Tate Reeves and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brandon Presley.
Amo won the endorsement of Patrick Kennedy, the former Democratic US representative, who represented the district from 1995 to 2011 during the primary.
After Amo's primary win, he said, "Just because my parents were born in two different West African countries, (it) doesn't mean it doesn't fit that narrative of how Rhode Island has been a haven for so many people from so many different places to thrive and build their families."
He said he was humbled by the real, meaningful opportunity to serve as the first person of color. He explained that he did not run to make history. He assured that he would be the voice to ensure that he would restore the trust and confidence despite the chaos in the Republican Party.
Amo shared his platforms and said that he would focus on fighting against what he described as extremist Republican attempts to slash funding for Social Security and Medicare. He would also work on legalizing abortion rights nationwide and fight for more legislation at the federal level to take action on the climate crisis.
He said he would implement universal background checks at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and invest in research into gun violence prevention to ban assault-style weapons. Furthermore, he said he would support US efforts to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia.
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Who is Gabe Amo?
Amo grew up in Pawtucket, and his parents are Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants. He went to Wheaton College and studied public policy at Oxford University. He said his parents motivated him to study public policy. Amo's mother studied nursing, and his father opened a liquor business.
Amo worked under the Obama and Biden administrations as the deputy director of the White House office of intergovernmental affairs. He also worked in the administration of Democratic Governor Gina Raimondo.
Amo's win was a significant shift from the state's Italian-American political hierarchy, represented by the late Vincent "Buddy" Cianci, Providence's alluring longtime mayor who went to prison for corruption.
Amo said that he believes he was part of a generational shift that had been underway before him, whether they were people of color or fighting for women and working class rights. Amo defeated Leonard, a US Marine veteran who previously won the two-candidate GOP primary.
The last Republican to represent the 1st Congressional District was Ron Machtley, who fulfilled his duty from 1989-1995.
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