WARWICK – Edwin R. Pacheco, a former state representative and Rhode Island Democratic Party chairman, on Monday announced his candidacy for the congressional seat now held by retiring Rep. James R. Langevin, D-R.I.
Pacheco, now interim executive director of external relations and communications at Rhode Island College, is the latest to formally announce his candidacy for the 2nd District seat now held by Langevin, who announced last week that he will not seek reelection this November.
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Omar Bah, the founder and executive director of Providence-based nonprofit Refugee Dream Center, confirmed Monday to Providence Business News that he will also be running for Langevin’s seat.
On the Republican side, Bob Lancia, who lost to Langevin in 2020, has announced he’ll run again for the seat this year.
Pacheco is a Burrillville native and was elected to the town’s school committee at the age of 19 – the youngest elected official in Rhode Island’s history at the time, according to his campaign announcement. He subsequently served in the R.I. House representing Burrillville and Glocester from 2005 through 2011.
In a statement, Pacheco said this is a “pivotal moment” in our country’s history.
“It’s as though politicians in Washington [D.C] have forgotten us and are more interested in political gamesmanship than focusing on the people who elected them,” he said. “Now, more than ever, we can no longer sit on the sidelines. We must come together to advocate for what is best for our community, our state and our nation.”
Former Providence Mayor Angel Tavares will serve as Pacheco’s honorary campaign chairperson.
Bah, who immigrated as a refugee to the U.S. from Africa, said he is running because he feels he should be “the voice of difference and diversity” of the American people in the U.S. Capitol.
“Coming to the United States … and experiencing all the challenges living … as a Black male who is afraid to drive at night because of fear of interactions for police, it is someone like me who has experienced [racial profiling] who can make a difference,” Bah said.
He added he also hopes to address concerns about housing and homelessness, as well as childhood education, if elected.
(UPDATES throughout to CORRECT that Pacheco latest to announce his candidacy for seat. ADDS Bah and Lancia.)
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
Realistically, neither Pacheco nor Bah are qualified, but now that Foulkes has shown no interest in running, Pacheco is probably the Ds best bet.