Who's running in Rhode Island's 1st congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Gabe Amo currently holds this seat
Low confidenceLow confidenceOnly one weak source, dated material, or indirect evidence. Treat specifics with caution.What would raise it: An official filing record and at least one independent report about this candidate would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Strengthening alliances with the UK and Australia and advancing US national security, per FP Action Network.
Protecting foreign aid.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Rhode Island's 1st District since November 2023; re-elected with 63.0% in 2024.
Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Former Biden White House liaison to mayors and local officials; former director of public engagement for Gov. Gina Raimondo.
Unopposed in the September 9, 2026 Democratic primary.
Endorsed for 2026 by FP Action Network.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument against Amo by a named opponent, party or group was found, so none is listed, and his FP Action Network endorsement is kept in his record rather than as an argument. Searched: 'Gabe Amo' with Keenan, DeSouza, Republican, NRCC and criticism; Ocean State Media, Rhode Island Current, Boston Globe, WJAR and WPRI coverage (Rhode Island Current and WPRI could not be loaded).
His campaign website and current fundraising were not confirmed from a loaded page.
Streamlining permitting, modernising infrastructure and cutting regulations so projects are built faster.
Strengthening community health centers and expanding the primary care workforce.
An 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy including nuclear and natural gas to lower costs.
More housing, particularly starter homes and small multifamily buildings.
Secure borders, limited government and parental rights.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Public health management consultant, per Politics1.
Endorsed by Rhode Island Republican Party convention delegates in 2026.
Unopposed in the September 9, 2026 Republican primary.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Keenan by a named outside group, party or opponent was found, so none is listed; her case is in her positions, taken from her Ballotpedia candidate survey. Searched: 'Kellie Keenan' with Amo, Republican, endorsement and criticism; Ocean State Media, Boston Globe, WJAR and WPRI coverage.
Her campaign website and fundraising were not confirmed from a loaded page.
No federal income tax on the first $50,000 of income.
Banning corporate ownership of single-family homes.
Single-payer health care.
Ending foreign military aid.
Second Amendment rights, veterans' services, small business and lower energy costs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Ballotpedia does not list DeSouza and lists a different independent, Wilfred Curioso; whether DeSouza is certified for the ballot could not be confirmed from the Secretary of State.
No coverage making a case for or against DeSouza was found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Rhode Island's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the two districts drawn after the 2020 census remain in use, and no redraw or pending congressional map case was found. Rhode Island's late primary was held September 9, 2026; Democratic Rep. Gabe Amo and Republican Kellie Keenan were both unopposed, per Ocean State Media. The general election field is Amo, Keenan and independent Pedro DeSouza of Woonsocket, per Wikipedia, Politics1 and The Green Papers (which lists his FEC filing). Ballotpedia instead lists an independent named Wilfred Curioso and does not list DeSouza; the Secretary of State's certified list was not loaded, so which independent will appear on the ballot could not be confirmed from an official source. Write-in candidates are not listed. The district covers eastern Rhode Island, including most of Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, Newport and Bristol County. Amo won 63.0% in 2024. Candidates are listed with the incumbent first, then by party; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Rhode Island ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Rhode Island Department of State.