After 12 years in Congress, last day for Cicilline in Washington has come

WASHINGTON (WLNE) — The last day for U.S. Rep. David Cicilline in Congress has come after he said earlier this year he was departing from Washington to return to Rhode Island.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who placed their faith and trust in me over the last twelve years,” he wrote on social media.

Cicilline was named the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation — the state’s largest community foundation — in February. He will take over for Neil Steinberg on June 1.

“I am excited to begin this extraordinary opportunity and build on the work that I have been leading in Congress and to continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Rhode Islanders,” said Cicilline.

Last week, the 61-year-old gave his final floor speech in Congress, where he said it was the “the honor of my life to represent the people of the First Congressional District of Rhode Island in Congress.”

The Democrat has represented Rhode Island in the U.S. House since 2011.

During his time in Congress, Cicilline criticized big tech and the amount of power the country’s tech companies held. He was named one of nine House impeachment managers by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi during former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial.

The congressman was also a member of the House Democratic Leadership, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Before Congress, he served as Providence’s mayor for eight years — the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital. He was also part of the Rhode Island General Assembly from 1995 to 2003.

A special election for Cicilline’s seat will be held on Sept. 5 and the general election is on Nov. 7.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.