Southern New Englanders head to the polls for 2023 special elections

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Southern New Englanders will head to the polls to cast their ballots in special elections Tuesday.

In Rhode Island, Democrat Gabe Amo and Republican Gerry Leonard will go head-to-head to represent the 1st Congressional District.

Both candidates have been busy campaigning for their chance to fill former Rep. David Cicilline’s seat.

Cicilline was re-elected this time last year and resigned earlier this year to become CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.

Gabe Amo celebrates his primary win with Sen. Sandra Cano. (WLNE file image)

Amo, former White House aide under the Obama and Biden administrations, won the primary in September.

Amo had many opponents, including front-runner Aaron Regunberg, who was endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Leonard is a Marine veteran who was endorsed by the Rhode Island Republican Party after his primary win.

Leonard defeated the only other Republican candidate, former Middletown Councilwoman Terri Flynn.

Gerry Leonard is the endorsed Republican candidate in the race for the special election in Rhode Island. (WLNE file image)

Also on the ballot is a special election for state Senate and special referendums in East Greenwich and North Kingstown.

The special Senate election will decide who will complete Maryellen Goodwin’s term after she died of cancer in April. The candidates are Democrat Jacob Bissaillon and Republican Niyoka Powell.

Bissallon is the former chief of staff for the Providence City Council. Powell is an occupational health nurse and an advocate for working families.

In Massachusetts, three cities will decide on their next mayor. Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone will be running unopposed.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is seeking a fifth term. His challenger is Tyson Moultrie, who received over 9% of the vote in the September preliminary election, while Mitchell got 67%.

Republican Gerry Leonard and Democrat Gabe Amo will face off to fill the 1st Congressional District seat in the Rhode Island special election Tuesday. (WLNE)

In Fall River, the race is between a current and former mayor.

Mayor Paul Coogan and former Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter both advanced in the preliminary.

Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, one of few Republican mayors in the area, will look to hold off challenger Ed Correira.

Correira, a Democrat, is a businessman who was appointed to O’Connell’s office when she was first elected in 2020.

Voters in Rhode Island and Massachusetts should check their polling locations, as they may change.

Polls close at 8 p.m.