Cranston Mayor Allan Fung: 13 To Watch in RI in 2013

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung: 13 To Watch in RI in 2013

No group took it on the chin harder in the 2012 elections than the Rhode Island Republican Party, which watched as virtually all of its federal and General Assembly candidates were trounced by Democrats.

The dismal performance led pundits across the state to question whether the GOP has any hope of survival in such a blue state.

Enter Cranston Mayor Allan Fung.

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Mayor Fung has managed to steer clear of being associated with the fringe far right members of the Party while still maintaining his credibility with Party stalwarts. His impeccable record as Mayor has also earned the respect of leading Democrats and he’s built close relationships with both General Treasurer Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras (the two went to Classical High School together).

Now Fung is considered the favorite to win the Republican nomination for Governor in 2014, which would likely lead to a battle in the general election with either Raimondo or Taveras.

The question is: Will he run?

Fung would be a strong candidate and Rhode Island still hasn’t elected a Democrat to the state’s top office in more than two decades, but he would not be considered a favorite in a race that will likely include Raimondo or Taveras, Independent Governor Lincoln Chafee and Moderate Party chairman Ken Block.

Still, some believe the time is now for Fung to run statewide and the Mayor has said he’ll announce his intentions early in 2013.

Cross your fingers, Republicans.