15 Candidates Make Ballot For RI Congressional District 1 Election

RHODE ISLAND — Fifteen candidates have qualified for the ballot for Rhode Island's race for the state's 1st Congressional District.

More than 30 candidates entered the race in hopes of winning former Rep. David Cicilline's old seat, but less than half garnered the 500 required signatures to be listed on the ballot for the Sept. 5 primary.

Thirteen of the candidates to make the ballot are Democrats, and two are Republicans. The candidates on the 2023 primary ballot are:

Democrats

• Gabe Amo
• Nicholas Autiello
• Stephanie Beauté
• Walter Berbrick
• Sandra Cano
• Don Carlson
• Steve Casey
• Spencer Dickinson
• John Goncalves
• Sabina Mato
• Ana Quezada
• Aaron Regunberg
• Allen Waters.

Republicans

• Terri Flynn
• Gerry Leonard.

But just after making the ballot, Autiello dropped out of the race, bringing the options down to 12 for Democrats. Autiello admitted he does not have the financial resources to win the primary and said remaining in the race "would only be an act of vanity."

"I got into this race to make life better for Rhode Islanders," Autiello said. "That is a mission I remain committed to today and in the future, but staying in this race would only further confuse voters in an unprecedentedly crowded field, and I cannot do that in good conscience."

A lottery for ballot placement is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday to determine the order candidates will be listed on the ballot.

Early voting for the primary begins Aug. 16. The primary is scheduled for Sept. 5, and the general election is on Nov. 7.

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