David Cicilline is 10 years older and carries the wear-and-tear of much more political mileage than when he emerged in a four-way 2002 Democratic primary as the new sensation of Providence politics. Yet Cicilline – battered by harsh headlines since not long after taking his congressional seat in January 2011 — seemed just as affirmed by his decisive victory tonight over businessman Anthony Gemma (62 to 31 percent, in unofficial results).
In a resounding show of support from 1st District Democratic primary voters, Congressman David Cicilline swamped businessman Anthony Gemma to win renomination, establishing a strong foundation for a general election showdown against Republican Brendan Doherty, of Cumberland, the former state police superintendent.
As he tries to land a seat in Congress, Brendan Doherty needs to convince voters he’s a Republican in the moderate mold of John Chafee, Ron Machtley, and Claudine Schneider – not such conservatives as John Boehner, Paul Ryan, and Eric Cantor.
U.S. Congressman David Cicilline will join supporters for a primary night watch party at Blaze Restaurant, 776 Hope Street in Providence. Doors will open at 8:00 PM.
