2023 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district special election

The 2023 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district special election was held on November 7, 2023. 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. 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.

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. 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. Amo has worked in different governmental roles, most recently working in the Biden administration in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Leonard served in the U.S. Marine Corps for more than 30 years, serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Somalia.

Nominee

 * Gabe Amo, former deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (2021–2023)

Eliminated in primary

 * Stephanie Beauté, insurance software executive and candidate for Rhode Island Secretary of State in 2022
 * Walter Berbrick, former Naval War College professor
 * Sandra Cano, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)
 * Stephen Casey, state representative from the 50th district (2013–present)
 * Spencer Dickinson, former state representative from the 35th district (2011–2015), candidate for governor in 2018, and candidate for the RI's 2nd congressional district in 2022
 * John Goncalves, Providence city councilor
 * Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)
 * Ana Quezada, state senator from the 2nd district (2017–present)
 * 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
 * Allen Waters, investment consultant, Republican nominee for this district in 2022 and for U.S. Senate in 2020

Withdrawn

 * Nick Autiello, ESG consultant and former mid-level staffer to the Rhode Island Commerce Department (endorsed Matos)
 * Pamela Azar, Lincoln town councilor (endorsed Quezada)
 * Nathan Biah, state representative from the 3rd district (2021–present) (running for state senate)
 * 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 (endorsed Cano, remained on ballot)
 * Paul LeBon, author, former Nashua, New Hampshire, alderman, and nominee for TX's 26th congressional district in 2002

Disqualified

 * Marvin Abney, state representative from the 73rd district (2013–present)
 * Mickeda Barnes, bus driver
 * Kathleen Gaskell, office manager
 * Larry Hutchinson Jr.
 * Gregory Mundy, clinical project manager
 * Bella Machado Noka, Narragansett elder
 * Toni Sfameni
 * Michael Tillinghast, catering server

Declined

 * Karen Alzate, state representative from the 60th district (2019–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Gregg Amore, Rhode Island Secretary of State (2023–present)
 * Sam Bell, state senator from the 5th district (2019–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Roberto DaSilva, mayor of East Providence (2019–present)
 * James Diossa, Rhode Island General Treasurer (2023–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Louis DiPalma, state senator from the 12th district (2009–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Brendan Doherty, former Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Republican nominee for this district in 2012
 * Jorge Elorza, former mayor of Providence (2015–2023)
 * Dawn Euer, state senator from the 13th district (2017–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Helena Foulkes, corporate executive and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022
 * Don Grebien, mayor of Pawtucket (2011–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Meghan Kallman, state senator from the 15th district (2021–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Katherine Kazarian, state representative from the 63rd district (2013–present)
 * Xay Khamsyvoravong, mayor of Newport (endorsed Amo)
 * Nirva LaFortune, former Providence city councilor and candidate for mayor of Providence in 2022
 * Valarie Lawson, state senator from the 14th district (2019–present) (endorsed Cano)
 * Patrick Lynch, former Rhode Island Attorney General (2003–2011) (endorsed Amo)
 * Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)
 * Cynthia Mendes, former state senator from the 8th district (2021–2023) and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 2022
 * Jeff Mutter, mayor of Cumberland (endorsed Cano)
 * Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General (2019–present)
 * Joseph R. Paolino Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Malta (1994–1996) and former mayor of Providence (1984–1991)
 * Clay Pell, lawyer, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education, and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014
 * Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2021–present) and former governor of Rhode Island (2015–2021)
 * Maria Rivera, mayor of Central Falls (2021–present)
 * Joe Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (2021–present)
 * Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence (2023–present)
 * Angel Taveras, former mayor of Providence (2011–2015) and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014

Results
[[File:2023 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district special Democratic primary results map by municipality.svg|thumb|200px|Primary results by municipality: {{legend|#7996E2|Amo}}

{{legend|#DFEEFF|20–30%}}

{{legend|#BDD3FF|30–40%}}

{{legend|#A5B0FF|40–50%}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}} {{legend|#FF9A50|Regunberg}}

{{legend|#FFDAC1|20–30%}} {{legend|#FF80B2|Cano}}

{{legend|#FFC5DA|30–40%}} {{legend|#F1C92A|Casey}}

{{legend|#FFEEAA|30–40%}} ]]

Nominee

 * Gerry Leonard Jr., operations executive and retired U.S. Marine Corps officer

Eliminated in primary

 * Terri Flynn, former Middletown town councilor

Disqualified

 * Gary Fagnant, nurse
 * William Lebron Jr.

Declined

 * Robert Flanders, former Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court (1996–2004) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018
 * Aaron Guckian, fundraising consultant, former aide to then-governor Donald Carcieri, and nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 2022
 * John Loughlin, former state representative from the 71st district (2005–2010) and nominee for this district in 2010
 * Brian Newberry, state representative from the 48th district (2009–present) and former RI House Minority Leader (2011–2017)

Results
[[File:2023 Rhode Island's 1st congressional district special Republican primary results map by municipality.svg|thumb|200px|Primary results by municipality: {{legend|#E27F7F|Leonard Jr.}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}

{{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}

{{legend|#C21B18|80–90%}}

{{legend|#A80000|>90%}} ]]

Disqualified

 * Stephen Earle
 * Joseph Jean-Philippe, community college instructor
 * Jeffrey Lemire, construction worker and perennial candidate
 * Richard O'Shea, nurse
 * C. D. Reynolds
 * Paul Rianna Jr., nursing assistant and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022
 * John Ritchie
 * Julian J. Smith, IT Manager
 * John Vitkevich, realtor and community activist

Declined

 * Arlene Violet, former Republican Rhode Island Attorney General (1985–1987)