Newport, R.I. – In traditionally “blue” Rhode Island, Democrat Gabe Amo’s win for the state’s 1st Congressional District transpired as expected, with him getting 63% over Republican Allen Waters’ 32.3% and Independent Christopher Reynolds’ 4.7%.

“I am honored that voters in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District have overwhelmingly reelected me to serve as their voice in Washington,” said Congressman Amo in a post-election statement.

At age 35, Amo, the son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, has won his district’s congressional seat two years in a row, and established himself as one of the younger members of Congress in a traditionally Democratic stronghold.

Congressman Gabe Amo meets with constituents at a polling station in Barrington, RI.

Amo spent Election Day campaigning in Barrington, R.I. “I’ve heard people talk to me about the Washington Bridge,” he said, referring to the controversial infrastructure shutdown.   “People have also talked to me a lot about housing and what we need to do in the future… where people have safe, stable, affordable housing at every income level, at every level of the economy.”

Disappointed with Harris’ loss, he also reflected on the outcome afterwards in a statement.

“My hand remains extended to serve Rhode Islanders in Congress. Today is a day of reflection, but tomorrow, we get back to work,” he said.

In his first representative race in November 2023, Amo defeated Gerry Leonard with a commanding 64.9% to become the island’s first Black congressman in a special election after longtime politician, Rep. David Cicilline retired. Amo, who hailed from both President Obama’s and Biden’s administrations, had also worked in then-RI Gov. Gina Raimondo’s (now Secretary of Commerce) cabinet.

“Since within a year, he gained more name recognition over that time period,” said Emily Lynch, an associate professor of Political Science at the University of Rhode Island (URI).

Congressman Gabe Amo, alongside Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, meets with constituents at Barrington Middle School, a polling station. Credit: Veronica Bruno

In a race where he outflanked Waters in fundraising dollars, campaign ads and the state’s entrenched Democratic support, Amo’s campaign started out with a significant margin and never lost momentum. Even though he was elected to Congress just last year, Amo was the more familiar face in the traditionally Democratic state.

The congressman campaigned on a platform that focused on gun violence, Social Security and Medicare protection and the fight against “climate change.” Among the priorities he listed in his statement included “Advancing our democratic priorities across the world, confronting our international challenges, supporting our allies, and strengthening humanitarian aid.”

Waters, a longtime Providence, RI native (four generations back) and investment consultant, said that he stood for “conservative, working-class values being raised in a police family.” The 67-year-old had run several unsuccessful races in the state before, including a brief stint as a Democrat, and prior to that, a few races in Massachusetts.