Former GOP Councilman Running as a Democrat for Mayor of Cranston

Former GOP Councilman Running as a Democrat for Mayor of Cranston

The race for Mayor of Cranston has a new candidate.

Republican turned Democrat Citywide City Councilman Robert Ferri announced his candidacy for Mayor of Cranston Tuesday.

He joins incumbent Republican Mayor Kenneth Hopkins and Republican State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung in the race for the Mayor’s office.

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

Fenton-Fung and Hopkins have been sparring over a range of issues. One includes Fenton-Fung blaming Hopkins for Ferri switching parties.

According to Ferri's ethics disclosure form, he has been in property management over the past few years. He did work for the Providence Redevelopment Agency

 

Ferri issued the following statement :

I’m running to be your next Mayor because Cranston needs a leader who will make our city work for its residents. For too long, our city’s chief executive has been more interested in helping their well-connected friends than listening to and solving the problems of regular Cranston residents. Recent Cranston Mayors have neglected making long-term investments in our schools, housing, public safety, parks and recreation, and sidewalks and roads. Our taxes keep going up and our city services have not improved, and in many ways have gotten worse over the past decade.  We cannot afford more Mayors who think they have all the answers, but cannot get even the basics right or get back to you in a timely fashion.  

We need someone with a clear track record of bringing people of different viewpoints together to make policy that improves lives. I have the experience as a citywide city council member, former business owner, parent and grandparent to actually make our city work for regular people, to move beyond political fighting and bring Cranstonians together to improve quality of life for the people of Cranston. I want to make you proud to continue to call Cranston 'home.'

I promise to always listen to you, and honestly tell you where I stand on any issue. I will remain accountable to you before and after I am elected, reporting to you honestly on the successes and challenges our city faces.  I will work tirelessly to improve our city services, generate new revenue for the city, and ensure Cranston is prepared for the future by investing in our schools, improving our parks and infrastructure, and tackling our environmental challenges from flooding to energy to preserving our forests from unwanted development.

 

Marino supports Ferri

Cranston City Council President Jessica Marino is endorsing Ferri, according to the announcement.  “I am excited and proud to give Robert Ferri my full endorsement and support in his campaign for Mayor of Cranston. In our time serving on the City Council together, I have consistently been inspired by Robert’s diligence, deep understanding of city policy and finances, and his commitment to engaging residents in the policy-making process," said Marino.

 

The campaign will have a kickoff event on Sunday, March 10, 2024, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Lang’s Bowlarama at 225 Niantic Ave, Cranston.