Shekarchi "Rules Out" Run for U.S. Rep - But Could Face Pressure From National Dems to Take on GOP

Shekarchi "Rules Out" Run for U.S. Rep - But Could Face Pressure From National Dems to Take on GOP

Democratic Rhode Island Speaker of the House Joseph Skekarchi announced Thursday he has "no intention" to run for the Congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin.

Langevin had been a pro-life Democrat in a district that voted strongly for Republican President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. 

If it appears that a progressive Democrat could emerge from the primary -- Shekarchi could face pressure from national Democrats to run.

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The relatively conservative Shekarchi could soon be fielding calls from everyone from former Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo all the way up to President Joe Biden to run in the face of a strong Republican candidate, which could include former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and others. 

The last Republican to hold the 2nd Congressional seat was Claudine Schneider from 1981 to 1991. 

READ: Who Is Looking to Succeed Langevin — Who’s In, Out, and Not Telling

Shekarchi's office issued the following statement from the Speaker on Thursday. 

“Although I am humbled that Congressman Langevin and many others have mentioned me as a potential Congressional candidate, I love serving as Speaker and representing my Warwick constituents at the State House. I have no intention of seeking the Congressional seat this year. 

We have done great work in the past year bringing people together to address important issues facing our state, including affordable housing, pay equity, climate change, health care, and so many others. These are unprecedented times as we face a pandemic recovery involving the investment of billions of federal dollars, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and the Governor, to move our state forward.