Before resigning in July 2013 to run for election as secretary of state, she was executive director of Housing Works Rhode Island for five and a half years.

[3][5] Incumbent Secretary of State Ralph Mollis was ineligible to run for reelection in the 2014 elections because of term limits.

Gorbea campaigned for the position on a platform of making elections fair, fast and accurate, ensuring that Rhode Island businesses can easily start and thrive, bringing transparency to government, and increasing civic engagement.

[3] She defeated Guillaume de Ramel in the Democratic primary[7] and Republican nominee John Carlevale in the general election.

[8] She was sworn in as secretary of state on January 6, 2015, becoming the first Hispanic to hold statewide office in Rhode Island.