U.S. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), one of just four openly gay members of Congress, won his Democratic primary Tuesday against Anthony Gemma, an opponent he also defeated in 2010 when he was first elected to the House.
He will face Brendan Doherty this November, a Republican who opposes allowing gay couples to legally marry.
“We’re pleased that Rhode Island Democrats have once again chosen David Cicilline to represent them in Congress,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.
“Now voters will face a clear choice this November between a persistent champion for LGBT equality, and an opponent who supports the Defense of Marriage Act, which makes life harder for so many American families,” said Wolfe.
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This is Cicilline’s first bid for reelection after a challenging freshman term in which he apologized to voters for painting a too-rosy picture of the financial condition of the city of Providence, where he served two terms as mayor.
New ads in the campaign feature former Congressman Patrick Kennedy vouching for Cicilline’s dedication to working families across the state.