Gerry Leonard talks next steps after being named Republican CD1 nominee

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Election night came to a quick close on Tuesday, especially in the case of the Republican race.

Former U.S. Marine and Jamestown native, Gerry Leonard, was declared the winner by the Associated Press roughly 30 minutes after polls closed.

AP further announcing that 75% of the vote Tuesday went to Leonard over his competitor, Terri Flynn.

Leonard now faces an uphill battle as a Republican trying to make his way into a staunchly democratic district.

Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District has not elected a Republican to office since 1992, when Ron Matchley took the seat, but the district has had Republican leadership before, and Leonard said he feels confident it could again.

“Well, you know the history of Rhode Island. We’ve had Ron Matchley serve in this position, John Chafee as Senator, so we have a history of putting republicans in. Common-sense republicans, and quite frankly, I’m a common-sense republican. And again, what resonated with voters this time as the facts of service before self and principals before politics. And we will continue to stress that with Rhode Island voters,” Leonard told ABC 6 News following his win.

Leonard said he’ll be getting back to the campaign trail right away, looking to end extremism, bring back common sense, and put principles before politics.

With Tuesday’s special election out of the way, all eyes now turn to the long road to November, and the eventual matchup of Democratic candidate Gabe Amo versus Leonard to represent Rhode Island in congress.