RICHMOND, Rhode Island — Rep. David Cicilline's (D-RI) surprise resignation announcement Tuesday has spurred an early battle to succeed him.
Cicilline, who held Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District seat for roughly 12 years, announced that he will step down by June 1 to assume a position as the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, triggering a special election on a somewhat murky time frame.
DAVID CICILLINE TO RESIGN FROM CONGRESS, OPENING SEAT IN RHODE ISLAND
During his tenure in Congress, Cicilline served as an impeachment manager for former President Donald Trump's second Senate trial. He also made a name for himself by championing antitrust measures against Big Tech.
Cicilline began his meteoric political rise when he threw his hat into the ring to become the mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, in the early 2000s. At the time, the office was held by the late Buddy Cianci, a controversial figure in the state's capital and most populous city.
Many political heavyweights at the time had been skittish about squaring off with the long-serving mayor, but a corruption scandal ultimately sacked Cianci from the race, and Cicilline later soared to victory, paving the way for his subsequent ascension to Congress in 2011.
Given the state's small size, some politicians who live in the other district may be competitive in the 1st District. Notably, Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) lived in the 1st District prior to his 2022 run for the 2nd District to succeed Rep. James Langevin (D-RI).
Here are 10 politicians who could succeed Cicilline.
Helena Foulkes
The momentum was on her side during the waning days of the 2022 Democratic primary for governor, but Helena Foulkes, the former president of CVS Health, ultimately came up short against incumbent Gov. Dan McKee.
Her breakout performance in the midterm cycle puts her in a strong position for a hypothetical special election contest. Additionally, Foulkes enjoys strong ties to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Foulkes reportedly lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island, which is located in the 2nd District.
Nellie Gorbea
Since concluding her term-limited tenure as secretary of state at the start of the year, Nellie Gorbea had been rumored to be vying for the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation role that Cicilline snagged.
She ran unsuccessfully in the contentious Democratic primary for governor last cycle, becoming one of the first major candidates to challenge McKee. Gorbea previously indicated that she likely wouldn't pursue office again, but ripe opportunities can sometimes change minds. Gorbea reportedly lives in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, outside the 1st District.
Gina Raimondo
Having served as governor of the state before joining the Biden administration, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has been subject to buzz that she has harbored aspirations to become a member of either chamber of Congress.
She notably abstained from Langevin's open seat in the 2022 cycle, but Cicilline's departure gives her a second chance to consider a run.
Peter Neronha
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is one official who made the hop from attorney general to one of the chambers of Congress. Neronha, who lives in the 1st District, clinched a smashing reelection victory in the 2022 midterm elections, and is held in high esteem in Rhode Island Democratic circles, could be next.
So far, Neronha has shown little inclination toward leaving prosecutor positions to run for legislative roles.
Angel Taveras
Back in the 2014 gubernatorial cycle, Angel Taveras ran a somewhat competitive race but was ultimately bested by Raimondo. He served as the mayor of Providence from 2011 to 2015, having been the first Latino in the post.
Taveras also ran for Congress in 1999 but lost. He is now an attorney and hasn't run a campaign in nearly a decade.
Jorge Elorza
Jorge Elorza just stepped down as the mayor of Providence earlier this year due to term limits, and he was succeeded by Brett Smiley. Following his departure, he planned to teach at Roger Williams University School of Law.
Elorza previously abstained from the gubernatorial primary in 2022. The 1st District encompasses much of the city of Providence as well as chunks of Providence County. He is estimated to be sitting on a roughly $1 million war chest from campaign funds that could theoretically be converted for a congressional run.
James Diossa
Two of State Treasurer James Diossa's immediate predecessors catapulted onto other prominent roles. Magaziner won the 2nd District congressional race last year, and his predecessor, Raimondo, jumped from the Treasury post to governor.
Diossa previously served as the mayor of Central Falls, Rhode Island, from 2013 to 2020.
Gregg Amore
After scoring a victory in the midterm election cycle, Secretary of State Gregg Amore was subject to some whispers of speculation that he may seek the governorship at some point down the line. He is new to the secretary of state post, but he served in the state legislature for roughly a decade.
The Fungs
National Republicans eyed Rhode Island's 2nd District seat with cautious optimism during the midterm elections, observing whether former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung could pull off an upset victory in the Democratic stronghold. He ultimately lost to Magaziner.
But Fung or his wife, Barbara Fenton-Fung, a rising GOP star in the state legislature, could theoretically pull a reverse Magaziner and try again. The major hurdle is that the 1st District generally leans a deeper blue than the 2nd District he lost in the 2022 cycle.
Jessica de la Cruz
When Langevin's seat opened up, Jessica de la Cruz jumped into the fray before backing out a month later amid stiff competition from Fung, whom she endorsed. Presently serving as the Rhode Island Senate's minority leader, de la Cruz lives in the 1st District.
A run to fill Cicilline's would likely face even more of an uphill battle than what Fung endured in 2022.
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Political winds can shift quickly in the Ocean State. Ahead of the 2022 cycle, there was rampant speculation that Cicilline and Langevin were poised for a collision course due to the prospect of the census fallout stripping a seat from the state.
Ultimately, that fate was avoided, and soon, neither will be in the congressional halls. It is not yet clear when the special election race will take place.