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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — R.I. House Finance Committee Chairman Marvin Abney has announced he’s tossing his hat into the ring for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, joining a rapidly thickening throng of Democrats seeking to replace the outgoing Congressman David Cicilline.
The Newport Democrat, who’s controlled the powerful Finance Committee since 2016, said he plans to finish out the current General Assembly session that typically ends in June, before officially joining the race. As promised when previously mulling a run, Abney said his “immediate responsibility” is completing the state’s next budget before he turns to campaigning.
“During our campaign we will focus on the positive aspects of Rhode Island society, the things that will make us stronger as a state in which to live and raise a family, not just a laundry list of problems that do little to unite us or make our lives better,” Abney said in a statement announcing his intention to run.
“I will work tirelessly with our federal team in order that as resources are available at the federal level, Rhode Island gets its rightful fair share,” he added.
Abney joins 11 other Democrats currently seeking to replace Cicilline, who will step down from Congress midterm in June to take over as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. No Republicans have announced plans to run yet.
The full list of the other Democrats seeking the office can be found here.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated.
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