Gabe Amo’s path from a humble upbringing in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to becoming the state’s first congressional representative of Liberian and Ghanaian descent reveals a passion for public service. Born to Liberian and Ghanaian immigrants, Gabe Amo’s story is one of the American Dream. His parents worked hard to give him the opportunities they never had—his mother as a nurse and his father as a small business owner. Growing up in a working-class family in Pawtucket, Gabe learned the importance of perseverance, hard work, and community, values that continue to guide his career today.
A standout student, Gabe attended Moses Brown School in Providence, where he was elected President of the Student Senate and received the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s Civic Leadership Award. His academic achievements didn’t stop there. At Wheaton College, Gabe received the prestigious Truman Scholarship for his commitment to public service and was later awarded a Marshall Scholarship to study public policy at the University of Oxford, a move that expanded his global perspective on governance and leadership.
Gabe’s passion for public service led him to work at the highest levels of government. Early in his career, he served in the Obama Administration’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, where he worked as a liaison to governors and state officials. This experience laid the foundation for his later roles in local and national government, helping him build a deep understanding of how to connect federal resources with local needs.
In 2018, Gabe returned to Rhode Island to work for then-Governor Gina Raimondo as the Director of Public Engagement and Community Affairs. In this role, he was the key advisor on outreach to various communities, including businesses, labor groups, faith organizations, and grassroots leaders. Gabe’s reputation for effective leadership and deep community connections led to his appointment in the Biden Administration, where he served as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. In this capacity, he worked closely with President Biden, acting as the principal liaison to mayors and local elected officials across the country. He connected them to federal resources provided by historic legislation such as the American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
One of Gabe’s most impactful roles at the White House was coordinating responses to some of the nation’s most pressing crises, including gun violence, extreme weather events, and public health emergencies. He was often the first point of contact for local officials following tragic events like the mass shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo, and Highland Park. Gabe’s work on gun violence prevention has been particularly notable. He has championed common-sense gun control measures and worked closely with leaders like Representative Lucy McBath, whose son was a victim of gun violence, to push for legislation such as red flag laws and universal background checks.
In 2023, Gabe Amo was elected to represent Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, a historic achievement for the son of West African immigrants. His election reflects the trust and confidence that the people of Rhode Island have in his ability to deliver meaningful results for the state. As a congressman, Gabe is focused on key issues such as: [I] Strengthening retirement security for seniors by protecting Social Security and Medicare; [II] Combating gun violence, continuing the fight to ban assault-style weapons and advocating for community violence intervention programs; [III] Ensuring resilience to climate change by supporting policies that prioritize environmental sustainability; [IV] Securing reproductive freedom and safeguarding women’s rights to choose; [V] Protecting democracy from threats both domestic and abroad, ensuring that Rhode Island’s democratic values are represented at the federal level.
Gabe Amo’s vision for the future goes beyond traditional issues as he is also a strong advocate for addressing data privacy concerns in the digital age. He supports legislation aimed at giving individuals greater control over their personal information, particularly as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the landscape. Gabe is a vocal supporter of the Biden Administration’s AI Bill of Rights, working to ensure that technological advances don’t come at the cost of personal privacy.
In addition to his focus on digital rights, Gabe has been a champion for expanding the care economy. He recognizes the critical role of caregivers and the need for policies that support families, particularly women who often bear the burden of unpaid caregiving work. As a member of Congress, Gabe Amo is committed to bringing the needs and voices of Rhode Islanders to Washington, D.C. His dedication to public service, rooted in his upbringing in a working-class immigrant family, gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing everyday Americans.
