Kellie
Eleanor Keenan
Republican challenger Kellie Eleanor Keenan is running against incumbent Rep. Gabriel Amo in Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 5
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Kellie Eleanor Keenan is the Republican challenger for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Democrat Gabriel Amo. 43
Born and raised in Boston, Keenan attended Boston Latin School and Suffolk University, where she completed an advanced certificate in Public Health Management. 79 She began her career at a community health center front desk and progressed through roles in public-health operations, clinical research, and health-care leadership. She also served in AmeriCorps NCCC on community-based projects. 7
At the time of her candidacy, Keenan works as a health-care consultant and is listed on LinkedIn as a director of operations consultant at CGT Innovations since March 2024. 39 She lives in Providence's Washington Park neighborhood and has never previously run for elected office. 37
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Rhode Island
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Director of Operations Consultant, CGT Innovations
- Website
- kelliekeenanforcongressri.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 8newsKeenan outlines policy positions in phone interview with the Providence Journal
In an October 8 phone interview, Keenan criticized incumbent Gabe Amo and stated she supports the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Trump administration tariff policy, is open to raising the Social Security payroll-tax cap, supports Israel, and would seek savings in Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP by removing redundant administrative barriers. She could not identify a specific policy disagreement with President Trump, saying only 'Maybe some of the rhetoric.'
Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15newsRhode Island Board of Elections certifies primary results; Keenan confirmed as GOP nominee
The Rhode Island Board of Elections certified statewide primary results on September 15, 2026, after recounts and rereads did not change any outcomes. Keenan was confirmed as the Republican nominee for RI-01.
Board of Elections certifies 2026 primary results after one recount ... · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 9newsKeenan wins Republican primary for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District
Rhode Island held its primary election on September 9, 2026. Keenan emerged as the Republican nominee for RI-01, though her specific vote total was not reported in available sources.
Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 20filingKeenan raised $12,771 through August 20, relying heavily on self-loans
A campaign data profile reported that Keenan raised $12,771.40 through August 20, 2026, including $8,100 in candidate self-loans. She spent $10,439.39 and had $2,332.01 cash on hand. These figures are provisional pending confirmation against underlying FEC filings.
Kellie Keenan — 2026 Rhode Island's 1st Congressional ... · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 1newsKeenan participates in State House protest over removal of a mural
The Providence Journal reported Keenan's involvement in a June 2026 State House protest related to the removal of a mural. No formal controversy was identified in connection with the protest.
Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 1endorsementRhode Island GOP convention endorses Keenan without opposition for RI-01
Delegates at the Rhode Island Republican Party convention endorsed Keenan as the party's candidate for RI-01 without opposition. The exact convention date was not reported; the Providence Journal placed it in June 2026.
Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 1newsKeenan registers to vote in Rhode Island for the first time
The Providence Journal reported that Keenan, a Providence resident and first-time candidate, registered to vote in Rhode Island for the first time in May 2026, after having already filed federal candidate paperwork in April.
Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Apr 1filingKeenan files FEC paperwork to run for RI-01 as an independent
Kellie Eleanor Keenan submitted FEC paperwork in April 2026 to run for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District as an independent candidate, before later switching to the Republican Party.
Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race? · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Rhode Island Republican Party organizationParty leaders unanimously endorsed Keenan for the 1st Congressional District at the state party convention; she was the only Republican candidate seeking the party's endorsement in her race. rhodeislandcurrent.com · Jun 25, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $13K
- Spent
- $10K
- Cash on hand
- $2,332
As of Aug 20, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6RI01153(opens in a new tab)
Sources 5
- [1] Who is challenging Amo in RI's quiet 1st Congressional District race?(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Kellie Keenan — 2026 Rhode Island's 1st Congressional ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2026
- [3] Board of Elections certifies 2026 primary results after one recount ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [4] RI GOP endorses Aaron Guckian for governor(opens in a new tab) Jun 26, 2026
- [5] Kellie Keenan(opens in a new tab) Apr 26, 2026