Congressional District 1
On May 31, Democratic Rep. David Cicilline resigned from Congress to take a job as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. This left a vacancy for a wide-open primary in a solid Democratic district. Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District is one of two Congressional Districts in the Ocean State. It covers the state’s eastern half, including the eastern half of Providence and all of Pawtucket. The field of candidates quickly filled on the Democratic side, ultimately growing to 12 candidates including the Lt. Governor, a former Biden White House official, and five current or former members of the state’s General Assembly. On the Republican side, two candidates filed to run for the vacancy. The state party opted to endorse Gerry Leonard Jr. in the race, likely giving him a significant edge. He faces former Middletown town councilor Terri Flynn. We’ll have Rhode Island special election results starting shortly after polls close at 8pm eastern.
For a closer look at the race, check out Nick Field’s preview of some of the candidates running on the Democratic side. Polls close at 8 p.m. (EDT) We will have the election results below once they do.
State Senate District 1
Voters in Providence are also voting to fill a vacancy in the seat for State Senate District 1. On April 15, Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin passed away following a years-long battle with cancer. She was the second longest-serving member of the Rhode Island Senate, who was in her 18th term at the time of her death. Senate District 1 covers a large portion of north Providence. Four Democrats filed to run in the primary, including State Rep. Nathan Biah and Jake Bissaillon who currently serves as chief of staff for state Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. The winner of the Democratic Primary will face Niyoka Powell who is the lone Republican to file and run for the vacant seat in this deep blue district.