Former White House aide Gabe Amo emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District special election on Tuesday. Amo, who would be the first Black candidate elected to the U.S. House from Rhode Island, beat out a crowded field of fellow Democrats to secure a spot in the general election. He hopes to succeed former Democratic Rep. David Cicilline, who resigned to lead the Rhode Island Foundation.

Amo has pledged to fight for gun control measures, protect Social Security and Medicare funding, codify Roe v. Wade into federal law, and combat climate change. He has also won the endorsement of former Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy. On the Republican side, U.S. Marine veteran Gerry Leonard defeated Terri Flynn to win the GOP primary. Amo and Leonard will face off in the general election on November 7. The primary election in Rhode Island saw a diverse group of candidates competing for the 1st Congressional District seat.

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, who would have been the first Latina elected to Congress from the state, congratulated Amo on his victory and celebrated the historic milestone of increased diversity in representation. Other Democratic candidates included former state Rep. Aaron Regunberg, state Sen. Sandra Cano, and several others. In Utah, voters participated in a primary contest to determine the candidates for the special election in the state's 2nd Congressional District. Three Republicans were vying for the seat vacated by GOP Rep. Chris Stewart. Former Utah GOP Chairman Bruce Hough, former Stewart aide Celeste Maloy, and former state Rep. Becky Edwards competed for the nomination.

Regardless of the primary outcome, Republicans are expected to hold the seat in the general election due to the district's strong Republican leanings. The Democratic nominee for the 2nd Congressional District is state Sen. Kathleen Riebe. Both elections are significant in determining who will represent these districts in Congress, although the partisan composition of the districts suggests that the outcomes will likely favor the Democratic candidate in Rhode Island and the Republican candidate in Utah. The general election for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District is scheduled for November 7, while the general election for Utah's 2nd Congressional District will take place on November 21.