Who's In The Race

Early voting opens Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District, and the deadline to apply for a mail ballot is 4 p.m. the day before. Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), the first Black member of Congress from Rhode Island, is seeking his second full term. ​

Amo, a Pawtucket native and son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, won the seat in a 2023 special election after working in the Obama and Biden White Houses and for then-Gov. Gina Raimondo. He faces Republican Kellie Keenan, a Providence small business owner and health care operations consultant making her first run for office. Independent Pedro DeSouza of Woonsocket is also on the ballot. Amo and Keenan were both unopposed in the Sept. 9 primaries.

What They Stand For

The two major candidates split sharply on immigration enforcement. Amo calls ICE and Border Patrol "out-of-control paramilitary forces" and has voted against funding them without strong limits. Keenan says "effective enforcement requires well-trained officers and clear rules," the Rhode Island Current reported.

They agree on more than voters might expect. Both want to bar members of Congress from trading individual stocks and to keep officials from betting on prediction markets about government actions. Both also oppose shutdowns, with Keenan saying one "should not be treated as a normal negotiating strategy."

DeSouza, who moved into data work after years in restaurants and small business, proposes no federal income tax on the first $50,000 earned and a 15% cap on credit card interest. He also backs single-payer health care and wants to end military aid to Israel.

The Money Behind The Race

Amo reported raising about $1.7 million this cycle through Aug. 20 and had about $1.9 million in the bank, according to Federal Election Commission filings. Keenan reported raising about $12,800 through the same date, with about $2,300 on hand and about $8,100 in debt.

Race Outlook: Ratings And Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Democratic as of Sept. 25, and Inside Elections gives it the same rating as of Oct. 2. Sabato's Crystal Ball calls it Safe Democratic as of Sept. 29. On Kalshi, traders favored Amo at about 95.2% as of the late afternoon on Thursday, Oct. 8.

Amo won about 63% of the vote in 2024, and former Rep. David Cicilline (D) won the seat with about 64% in 2022. Kamala Harris carried Rhode Island with about 56% in 2024.

The registration deadline passed Sunday, Oct. 4. Early voting hours vary by city and town and run through Monday, Nov. 2. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, except in New Shoreham, where they open at 9 a.m.

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