Sandra Cano is currently my preference. Very competent and engaging, representative of the district’s shifting demographics, great story, real roots here, and I liked her when she represented my neighborhood in my hometown’s local government. (Trivia: she’s also the fiance of our new state treasurer, who’s the former mayor of a neighboring city in our district, and mother of their kids)
But the field is getting crowded:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Rhode_Island%27s_1st_congressional_district_special_electionDeclared• Nick Autiello, ESG consultant and former special advisor to then-Governor Gina Raimondo[3]
• Mickeda Barnes, bus driver[4]
• Stephanie Beauté, insurance software executive and candidate for Rhode Island Secretary of State in 2022[5]
• Nathan Biah, state representative from the 3rd district (2021–present)[6]
• Sandra Cano, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[7]
• Stephen Casey, state representative from the 50th district (2013–present)[8]
• John Goncalves, Providence city councilor[9]
• Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)[10]
• Allen Waters, investment consultant, Republican nominee for this district in 2022 and for U.S. Senate in 2020[11]
• Aaron Regunberg, former state representative from the 4th district (2015–2019) and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 2018[12]
Announcement pending• Ana Quezada, state senator from the 2nd district (2017–present)[13]
Publicly expressed interest• Marvin Abney, state representative from the 73rd district (2013–present)[14]
• Gabe Amo, deputy director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (2021–present)[15][16]
• Dino Autiello, president of the North Providence town council[16]
• Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, mayor of Woonsocket (2013–present) and former state representative from the 49th district (2007–2013)[17]
• 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[18]
• Roberto DaSilva, mayor of East Providence (2019–present)[19]
• Ted Donovan, progressive activist[16]
• Dawn Euer, state senator from the 13th district (2017–present)[15]
• Don Grebien, mayor of Pawtucket (2011–present)[19] (decision expected in April)[20]
• Angelica Infante, commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education[21]
• Meghan Kallman, state senator from the 15th district (2021–present)[15]
• Nirva LaFortune, former Providence city councilor and candidate for mayor of Providence in 2022[16]
• Patrick Lynch, former Rhode Island Attorney General (2003–2011)[16]
• Joseph Paolino III, energy consultant and son of former Providence mayor Joseph Paolino Jr[16]
• Maria Rivera, mayor of Central Falls (2021–present)[15][22]
Potential• Liz Beretta-Perik, member of the Democratic National Committee and former treasurer of the Rhode Island Democratic Party[23]
• Sam Bell, state senator from the 5th district (2019–present)[19]
• Christopher Blazejewski, Majority Leader of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (2021–present) from the 2nd district (2011–present)[24]
• Gayle Goldin, former state senator from the 3rd district (2013–2021)[19]
• Nellie Gorbea, former Rhode Island Secretary of State (2015–2023) and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022[24]
• Ryan Pearson, Majority Leader of the Rhode Island Senate (2023–present) from the 19th district (2013–present)[24]
• David Segal, former state representative, candidate for the 2nd district in 2022, and candidate for this district in 2010[25]
Declined• Karen Alzate, state representative from the 60th district (2019–present)[26]
• Gregg Amore, Rhode Island Secretary of State (2023–present)[16]
• James Diossa, Rhode Island General Treasurer (2023–present)[24][16]
• Louis DiPalma, state senator from the 12th district (2009–present)[26]
• Brendan Doherty, former Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Republican nominee for this district in 2012[23]
• Jorge Elorza, former mayor of Providence (2015–2023)[15]
• Helena Foulkes, corporate executive and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022[27]
• Katherine Kazarian, state representative from the 63rd district (2013–present)[15][16]
• Xay Khamsyvoravong, mayor of Newport[19][28]
• Valarie Lawson, state senator from the 14th district (2019–present)[29]
• Dan McKee, Governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)[26]
• Cynthia Mendes, former state senator from the 8th district (2021–2023) and candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 2022[15][30]
• Jeff Mutter, mayor of Cumberland[31]
• Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General (2019–present)[24][32]
• Joseph Paolino Jr, former U.S. Ambassador to Malta (1994–1996) and former mayor of Providence (1984–1991)[15]
• Clay Pell, lawyer, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education, and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014[24][21]
• Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2021–present) and former Governor of Rhode Island (2015–2021)[16]
• Joe Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (2021–present)[32][30]
• Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence (2023–present)[16]
• Angel Taveras, former mayor of Providence (2011–2015) and candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2014[15]