Congressman-Elect Gabe Amo Reflects on His History-Making Victory in Rhode Island: 'Only the Beginning'

Amo will become Rhode Island's first Black representative in Congress after defeating 10 other Democratic candidates and winning a special election on Tuesday

Congressman-elect Gabe Amo made history on Tuesday, winning his bid for Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District seat and becoming the first Black candidate elected to represent the state in Congress.

But 35-year-old Amo, the son of Ghanaian and Liberian immigrants, tells PEOPLE he never set out to become a "first."

"I didn't do this to build up my profile or to be a bold face in history," Amo tells PEOPLE. "But it is not lost on me that, because I've succeeded, other people will have the capacity to succeed in public office and in a whole range of venues here in the Ocean State, as well."

Related: Ohio Voters Approve State Constitutional Amendment to Ensure Abortion Access

Amo grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, emerging from a crowded field of 10 other Democrats to win the primary election in September.

Now that he's formally secured the position following Tuesday's general election, Amo will succeed former Rep. David Cicilline, also a Democrat, who stepped down months ago to become CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. Amo fills one of two vacancies in the U.S. House — the other in Utah's 2nd Congressional District, which was vacated by Republican Rep. Chris Stewart in September and will be filled via special election on Nov. 21.

Related: Freshman Lawmakers Explain How Chaotic First Year in the House Changed Their View of Congress

Despite the headline-making nature of his victory, Amo hasn't had much time to celebrate, spending election night with campaign staffers, volunteers, family and friends. The morning after his big win, though, he did see plenty of well-wishers — at his local diner, having breakfast.

"There's a funny thing about running a campaign where you're on TV commercials and on the news," he laughs. "People do tend to recognize you. It was great to see half a dozen people congratulating me at Modern Diner. It took my waitress a little while to understand why people were talking to me."

Related: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves Defeats Elvis Presley's Democratic Cousin to Win a Second Term

Amo — who previously served in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs under President Barack Obama and, later, as President Joe Biden’s principal liaison to mayors and local elected officials — admits that his decision to enter the race was a bit confusing to some of those close to him.

"When you tell your family and friends you're quitting working for the president of the United States, you get a range of reactions, including everything from concern to cautious enthusiasm," he says. "I would say that as people heard me articulate the why and the how [they understood my reasoning]."

Related: Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Narrowly Secures a Second Term Following Tough Reelection Bid

He continues: "I'm not going to be a different congressperson. I'm still Gabe who took RIPTA [Rhode Island Public Transit Authority] from Pawtucket. That's not changing."

Now that he's won the race, he acknowledges that his family and friends' concerns are likely assuaged. Still, he adds, "this is only the beginning."

Now comes the hard part: getting to work. Among his top priorities when he takes office, Amo says, are "delivering a message for functional government," beginning, of course, with tackling a looming government shutdown.

Related: Mike Johnson Elected as the New House Speaker, Putting an End to Weeks of Gridlock

There are other "urgent demands of the moment," too — such as foreign affairs as it relates to ongoing issues in Israel, Ukraine and China.

Despite it being a lot to tackle, Amo feels confident he's well-suited for the job.

"The primary query was, 'Why not me?'" he says. "I have served two presidents of the United States at the White House, have worked for a governor ... this is the connective tissue that is required [of the job]."

But service, he adds, "comes in many ways." As does celebration which, while it's on the back burner, isn't back of mind: "The way to prolong this good feeling is to go and do good work."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.