Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos has announced that she will run for the 1st Congressional District in the special election later this year, becoming the first major Democrat to enter the race to replace David Cicilline in Congress. The Providence City Council’s former president, Matos fills the vacant lieutenant governor’s seat and is the first Afro-Latina to hold the second-highest office in the state. In a statement, Matos said, “We are facing an important moment in Washington. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and continue fighting for the things that matter to Rhode Islanders.” The 1st District congressional seat is expected to become open by June 1, when Cicilline plans to resign to lead the Rhode Island Foundation. As of now, no Republicans have announced campaigns for the heavily Democratic 1st District seat, and Rhode Island has never sent a Democratic woman to Congress.