Chairman of House Finance Committee throws hat in ring for Congress

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The chairman of the House Finance Committee is throwing his hat in the ring for Congress.

State Rep. Marvin Abney on Tuesday said he plans on running for the 1st Congressional District seat after the General Assembly session ends in June.

Abney has served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and has spent most of his adult life in public service.

“It was an incredible experience that taught me and my family a valuable lesson in learning to how to live and work with people and cultures that were different from our own,” he said. “I’ve used that experience in serving and working in nearly a dozen cities and towns across our great nation.”

If elected to Congress, Abney said he will focus on the positive side of Rhode Island society — “the things that will make us stronger as a state.”

He said he will “work tirelessly” with the federal government, so the Ocean State “gets its rightful share” when it comes to resources.

“See you in the arena!” Abney concluded.

Abney, a Democrat, represents District 73 in Middletown and Newport.  He’s been the head of the House Finance Committee since 2016.

At this time, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, state Sen. Sandra Cano, state Sen. Ana Quezada, 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.