Sen. Quezada announces candidacy for 1st Congressional District

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — State Sen. Ana Quezada on Tuesday announced her candidacy for the 1st Congressional District.

“I do not declare my candidacy with any illusion that this will be an easy task,” Quezada said. “It is a very difficult position that requires a huge commitment on my part and my family’s part.”

She said that with so much division, particularly in the national level, “we need someone who seeks to bring people together while representing the diverse views of their constituency.”

Quezada added that if elected to Congress, she will keep fighting for her community.

“[Congressional District 1] is made up of people from a broad range of backgrounds, with diverse views. I am running to serve all residents fairly,” she said.

Quezada, a Democrat who represents District 2 in Providence, works as a code enforcement inspector for Providence. She was elected to the Senate in 2016.

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

Right now, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, state Sen. Sandra Cano, 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.