David Cicilline has a long political history in Rhode Island. He was a state representative from 1995 to 2003, then took over the Providence mayor's office from 2003 to 2011, becoming the first openly-gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.
Among the highlights of his tenure in Congress was in 2021, when Cicilline served as an impeachment manager for Donald Trump's second impeachment.
If a member of congress resigns in a so-called "first session" of congress- then a special election will need to be done. But the date of that special election cannot be set until after the seat has been vacated. Cicilline will not resign until June 1. At that point the seat becomes officially vacant.
The Congressman is set to take over the Rhode Island Foundation.
There are a number of people considering a run for the post. No one has declared. But what we do know is that the current mayor of Providence and the most recent former mayor have said they are not interested.
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