1st time political candidate enters race to replace Cicilline

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — A first time political candidate is entering the race to replace Rep. David Cicilline in Congress.

Don Carlson said Friday he’s going to announce his campaign for the 1st Congressional District seat this weekend.

According to Yale Law School’s website, Carlson is currently a senior executive director at the school’s Tsai Leadership Program. As for his political experience, he served as the legislative director for Massachusetts Congressman Joseph Kennedy II and was the chief of staff for Connecticut Congressman James Himes.

The seat opened after Cicilline said in February he was resigning from Congress this summer to serve as the new president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.

At this time, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, state Sen. Sandra Cano, state Sen. Ana Quezada, state Rep. Marvin Abney, state Rep. Nathan Biah, state Rep. Stephen Casey, former state Rep. Aaron Regunberg, Providence City Councilor John Goncalves, former Gov. Gina Raimondo’s staffer, Nick Autiello, and Republican-turned-Democrat Allen Waters have filed to run for the seat.

The primary election will be held on Sept. 5 and the general election is on Nov. 7.