Gabe Amo, the Democratic candidate for an open seat in Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, has declined an invitation to participate in a forum with GOP rival Gerry Leonard organized by The Public’s Radio and The Providence Journal.
In an email shared with organizers in response to an invitation, Amo spokesman Matt Rauschenbach said, “It is essential that voters have the opportunity to see the stark contrast between Gabe’s vision for Rhode Island and Gerry Leonard’s version of House GOP extremism that is on the brink of shutting down our government.”
Rather than agreeing to the invitation extended by The Public’s Radio and the ProJo, Rauschenbach wrote, “Gabe looks forward to debating his opponent on November 3rd on WPRI’s ‘Newsmakers’ in a statewide broadcast television debate.”
The election in CD1 is scheduled for Nov. 7.
Since CD1 is heavily Democratic, Amo is considered the favorite in his race with Leonard, a first-time candidate who spent 30 years in the Marines, attaining the rank of colonel before his departure.
“As a US Marine, I spent 30 years fighting to protect our democracy around the globe,” Leonard said in a statement shared with organizers of the ProJo-Public’s Radio forum. “A vibrant, open debate is a critical part of our democratic system. It’s unfortunate that my opponent continues to play political games. He is following the same old partisan playbook, spending more time taking photo ops in DC than presenting a vision for our community.”
Leonard added, “I once again call on him to stop the partisan political games and join me for twelve debates across the District. RI voters deserve better than the partisan politics he offers.”
In a message on X – formerly known as Twitter – podcaster Bill Bartholomew indicated that Amo declined his invitation to take part in a debate with Leonard that would later air on WPRO.
Political reporter Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@thepublicsradio.org.
