Updated: Cranston GOP leaders unify support for Mayor Hopkins. Fenton-Fung, Hopkins rebuttals.

Updates: areas in red:

Cranston’s GOP leadership and officials have written to Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, who has announced she intends to challenge Cranston’s Mayor, Ken Hopkins, in a Republican primary for Mayor.

Together they have urged her to consider other alternatives to launching a potential mayoral bid which they say would lead to a divisive primary and hurt all local Republican candidates on the ballot.

Support comes from the three incumbent Republican members on the City Council, several school committee members and party leaders.

Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins issued a statement Sunday night further detailing that his intentions to run again for Mayor have “unified support”. Along with the statement was the letter sent to Rep. Fenton-Fung. The letter, below, says her challenge to a successful incumbent, called “unprecedented” by some, will be a divisive process for the city and the party, but that the GOP will be willing to support her in future efforts, and notes her “bright political future”.

Council Member Citywide Nicole Renzulli and Councilmembers Richard D. Campopiano (Ward 4) and Christopher G. Paplauskas (Ward 5) are joined in their support for Hopkins by Cranston School Committee Chair Michael A. Traficante (Citywide), Frank J. Ritz, Jr. (Ward 4), Earl J. “Buddy” Croft Ill (Ward 5) and Anthony Melillo (Ward 6).

Mayor Hopkins also has been endorsed by John Colasante, the Chairperson of the Cranston Republican City Committee.

“I am honored to extend my wholehearted support to Mayor Ken Hopkins in the upcoming 2024 mayoral election,” expressed Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, who serves as Council Minority Leader. “Taking office during the pandemic, the most challenging time in recent history, Mayor Hopkins has proven himself as a steadfast leader,” she said. “Ken Hopkins’s lifelong dedication to Cranston, encompassing roles as an educator, administrator, council member, and now as Mayor, underscores his profound commitment to public service. This endorsement reflects not only my satisfaction but also my anticipation of a close and productive partnership with Mayor Hopkins over the next four years,” articulated Renzulli.

School Committee Chairperson Michael A. Traficante also expressed his enthusiasm and confidence in Mayor Hopkins. “As a former Mayor, I know firsthand the challenges a mayor faces.” “Ken Hopkins has shown he has the experience, maturity, and temperament to be an effective chief executive for Cranston,” said Traficante, who highlighted Hopkins’ almost 30-year career in education and his support for Cranston schools. “In the last three years, the Mayor has been a strong advocate for our schools and is the right choice to continue Cranston on its path towards a 21st century education for all grades and school pupils”.

School Committee members Ritz, Croft, and Melillo joined Traficante in support of Mayor Hopkins. Melillo said “Ken Hopkins is the most qualified candidate for mayor this year and deserves re-election.”

Council member Paplauskas said that Hopkins has been very supportive of Ward 5. “The Mayor embraced my vision for Itri Park and with his leadership we were able to build it so it can be enjoyed for generations to come.” “Ken Hopkins will keep our city going in the right direction,” said Paplauskas.

Council member Richard Campopiano stated that Mayor Hopkins has a been a strong advocate for taxpayers and local businesses. “As a small business owner, I appreciate the mayor’s commitment to preserving the city’s fiscal health and carefully watching tax dollars.” Campopiano emphasized that Hopkins efforts and vision to rehabilitate the city’s business corridors such as Pawtuxet Village, Rolfe Square and Knightsville shows the leadership we need from the mayor’s office.”

Mayor Hopkins responds to unified support by GOP leadership:

Mayor Hopkins expressed his appreciation to his fellow office holders for their support. “I am asking the voters of Cranston to support me for another term.” He said, “we have more to accomplish, and I want to work with everyone to build an even brighter future for all Cranston families.”

We have reached out to Fenton-Fung for comment and this is now updated to include that response:

From Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung:

“With Ken Hopkins at the helm, the Republican party in Cranston has been humiliated. Not only by losing control of the council to the Democrats after a petty fight between him and Councilman Ferri resulted in the latter’s party switch, but then by getting pummeled in a special election in one of the most Republican wards in the city – in Mr. Hopkins’s own backyard. The “my way or the highway” tactics Ken Hopkins and his campaign team have been using belong in the 1950s – women don’t take orders from men like that anymore.  His team’s numerous overtures to get me out of the race in the past few weeks are only more evidence that he must be concerned that his ideas and track record are not all that popular. I’m very much aware that they view me as a threat because my approach and ideas transcend the old school way of doing business, and are very popular to Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike.”

The race for Mayor: Maria Bucci (D) who challenged Ken Hopkins in the past is said to be running for the representative seat held by Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung. Cranston City Councilor Robert Ferri (D) is rumored to go for a run against Mayor Hopkins (having changed from a Republican to a Democrat).

Fenton-Fung’s official announcement was Tuesday, Jan. 30th

From Mayor Ken Hopkins, who responded on Jan. 30th, prior to Fenton-Fung’s campaign announcement event: