Ed Pacheco, a former state representative and former chairman of the state Democratic Party, announced Monday his candidacy for an open seat in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District.
Pacheco, 40, grew up in Burrillville, where he was raised by a single mother. He won election to the School Committee at age 19, making him, he said, the youngest elected official in Rhode Island history.
He later served as a state rep and state party chairman and briefly ran for secretary of state before pulling out of the 2014 race.
U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin announced last week he will not seek re-election for the Second District seat he has held since winning election first in 2000.
Pacheco, who resides in Warwick with his wife and two children, said he is running because of his interest in public service and because of his concerns about the future of the country.
“Every day it feels as though we are being pulled further apart and the very fabric of our democracy is under attack. It’s as though politicians in Washington have forgotten us and are more interested in political gamesmanship than focusing on the people who elected them. Now more than ever, we can no longer sit on the sidelines,” he said.
Pacheco works in the administration at Rhode Island College as director of external relations and communications. His campaign released a list with the names of about 50 supporters, including his campaign chairman, former Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.
Omar Bah, founder of the Refugee Dream Center in Providence, is also running in the CD2 race as a Democrat. Democrats considering a run include state Sen. Josh Miller of Cranston, and Reps. Teresa Tanzi and Carol McEntee, both of South Kingstown.
Concern about losing the CD2 seat to a Republican has sparked an ongoing Democratic search for a high-profile candidate. As The Public’s Radio first reported Sunday, outgoing state health director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott is considering running.
Two Republicans have entered the race: state Sen. Jessica de la Cruz of North Smithfield and former state Rep. Bob Lancia of Cranston, while former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung is considering a run.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon. Sign up here for his weekly RI politics and media newsletter.
