Cranston Mayoral Candidate Stycos Pours $50K Into Campaign Focused on Kids, Safety - and Diversity

Cranston Mayoral Candidate Stycos Pours $50K Into Campaign Focused on Kids, Safety - and Diversity

Democratic Cranston City Councilman Steve Stycos appeared on GoLocal LIVE to discuss running for Mayor, what his priorities are -- and putting $50,000 of his own money into the effort. He now has $60,000 cash on hand.

"I think we need a Mayor who is open to talk to the citizens, to listen to their concerns and to attack the problems the city has," said Stycos. "More specifically I’m a strong supporter of the public schools and funding them properly, of open space, of diversifying our workforce — which is a big problem in Cranston. We have a 23% minority population and our full-time workforce is only 3% Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native American."

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Stycos spoke to the impact coronavirus will have on Cranston retail workers and businesses -- and budget. 

"I think we’re going to have tremendous financial problems with our budget this year, [which is based] on a 99 percent collection rate -- we’re not going to have a 99 percent collection rate next year," said Stycos. "We also have a pension fund that has an unfunded liability of $230 million."

Stycos spoke to the needs to assess the city’s financial positions — and make priorities. 

“I think our kids are our top priority — and public safety,” he said. 

Fundraising Battle

"I’m not going to have the big corporate backing as some [opponents] have had — over the years I’ve developed supporters who are going to be giving me small contributions," said Stycos. 

In his last campaign finance report, Stycos revealed he had lent himself $50,000, bringing his ending cash balance to just over $60,000. 

Stycos’ personal effort pushed him ahead of Republican opponent Michael Farina, who has $47,509 cash on hand as of the last filing period.