Cicilline Forgoes Run
to Be First Out Governor

Out Providence, R.I., mayor David Cicilline announced on Tuesday that he would seek reelection, ending intense speculation that he might attempt a run to become the nation's first openly gay governor.

Cicilline made his announcement in a four-minute YouTube video.

Cicilline, 47, was elected mayor of Providence in 2002 with more than 80% of the vote, becoming the first openly gay mayor of a state capital. He was reelected handily in 2006.

Despite high approval ratings in Providence, Cicilline placed third in a recent poll that assessed voters' preferences for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010. Some political observers believe he may have been damaged by a recent scandal involving his brother, an attorney who was convicted of extorting money from clients who dealt drugs, and accused of writing bad checks to the city of Providence.

In his announcement, Cicilline cited the pressing needs of his city as the reason for his decision to seek reelection.

"We now face the most serious economic crisis our state and our country have seen since the Great Depression," he said. "I know that continuing our work is the key to putting Providence in the strongest position possible, poised for exciting new opportunities when the recession ends."