David Cicilline

David Nicola Cicilline was born on July 15, 1961, in Providence, Rhode Island. He is an American politician and attorney who has served as the United States Representative for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district since 2011. Cicilline is openly gay and one of the few openly LGBTQ+ members of Congress, making his role particularly significant in terms of representation and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

David Cicilline was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives on January 4, 1994. He served as a state representative for Providence District 4. During his time in the state legislature, he focused on issues such as civil rights, criminal justice reform, and public education. His work as a state representative laid the foundation for his later roles in public service at the municipal and federal levels.

David Cicilline was elected as the Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on November 5, 2002. His election was noteworthy as he became the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital. Cicilline ran on a platform of reform and transparency, promising to tackle corruption and improve the city's neighborhoods. His tenure was marked by efforts to revitalize the downtown area and engage the city's diverse communities.

David Cicilline was inaugurated as the 36th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on January 6, 2003. During his tenure as mayor, Cicilline was known for his efforts to increase transparency in government and improve neighborhood infrastructure. He was the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital and helped to enhance Providence’s reputation as a culturally diverse and vibrant city.

David Cicilline was reelected as the Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on July 15, 2007. His second term as mayor was characterized by his continued focus on economic development, education, and infrastructure improvements. Cicilline's ability to maintain his position reflected his popularity and the successful implementation of policies that addressed critical issues facing the city, despite facing challenges such as budget constraints and political opposition.

David Cicilline was sworn into the United States House of Representatives on January 3, 2011, representing Rhode Island's 1st congressional district. As a congressman, Cicilline has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, campaign finance reform, and gun control legislation. His work in Congress has focused on promoting social justice, economic opportunity, and combating corruption within the political system.

On December 10, 2018, David Cicilline was elected chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. As chair, he played a key role in the Democratic Party's communication strategy, helping to craft the messaging that Democrats used to connect with voters across various issues such as healthcare, economic fairness, and democratic reforms. His leadership in this role was instrumental during a period of significant political polarization in the United States.

On June 25, 2019, David Cicilline became a co-chair of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. This role involved advocating for legislation that supports the rights and equality of LGBTQ+ individuals. Under his leadership, the caucus worked on important issues such as non-discrimination protections and the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights both domestically and internationally. His involvement exemplified his commitment to civil rights and social justice.

On December 18, 2020, David Cicilline was appointed as one of the nine impeachment managers during the second impeachment of President Donald Trump. In this critical role, Cicilline helped present the case against the president, including the charge of incitement of insurrection. His contributions were part of the Democratic efforts to hold the president accountable for the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot.

On February 21, 2023, David Cicilline announced that he would leave Congress to become the president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. This decision marked the end of his 12-year tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cicilline's move to the Rhode Island Foundation was seen as a significant shift in his career, where he aimed to continue his public service by addressing community issues within Rhode Island from a different platform.