Mattiello Concedes Defeat, Fenton-Fung Thanks Speaker for Service

Mattiello Concedes Defeat, Fenton-Fung Thanks Speaker for Service

Rhode Island House Speaker Nick Mattiello has conceded defeat to Republican Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung in House District 15

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Mattiello did not mention his opponent. 

While the Board of Elections is scheduled to tabulate over 9,000 votes in the City of Cranston this afternoon due to machine error, Mattiello bowed out ahead of the count. 

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Fenton-Fung has 4628 votes to Mattiello's 3214 -- making the breakdown 58.8% to 40.8%. 

The new Representative-elect Fenton-Fung said, "Every warrior who enters the arena is to be commended.  It is not for the faint of heart, and this battle was certainly bruising on both sides.  I'd like to thank Nick Mattiello for being in that arena all these years. I'm obviously thrilled to wake up this morning and hit the ground running to help reform this state."

"To win this election we formed a fantastic coalition here in District 15, and I'll continue to bring that bipartisan nature up to the State House to knock heads together and get things done. My husband's legacy in Cranston lives on. Fung times are here to stay," she added. 

Mattiello Statement 

First, a sincere thank you to the residents of District 15 who have allowed me to serve as their representative for the last 14 years.

To say it was an honor would be an understatement. While I wish last night’s outcome had been different, it in no way diminishes the privilege of serving in the House for so long. It’s been a good run.

Second, thank you to all of the volunteers who poured their heart and soul into this race. We can all be immensely proud of the fact that we ran a positive, issues-oriented campaign right up until the very end.

To my family, close friends, associates and colleagues, thank you for your tireless efforts on my behalf, and for believing not only just in my candidacy, but in the work we have undertaken collaboratively day in and day out to advance the quality of life for the people of Cranston, and beyond.

We have achieved much – I wish we could do even more. But I leave this race - and this position - with a heart full of gratitude.

Thank you.

Updated Thursday 7:30 AM