Rhode Island Congressman David
Cicilline on Tuesday defeated businessman Anthony Gemma to capture
the Democratic nomination.
Cicilline received 61 percent of the
vote with 98 percent of precincts reporting, while his challenger
received 31 percent. A third candidate, Chris Young, claimed 8
percent.
Cicilline is one of only four openly
gay House members, two of whom will not be returning next year.
Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank is not running for
re-election and Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin is running for
the Senate.
Cicilline will face in the general
election Republican Brenda Doherty, a retired high-ranking police
officer and former superintendent of Rhode Island's Department of
Public Safety.
“We're pleased that Rhode Island
Democrats have once again chosen David Cicilline to represent them in
Congress,” said Chuck Wolfe, CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory
Fund, which supports openly gay elected officials. “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.”