Giant Killers: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

Giant Killers: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

It was a year of political newcomers taking out some of Rhode Island’s top entrenched elected officials. 

Perhaps the biggest upset of course was Republican Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung — one of GoLocal’s 20 to Watch in 2020 — ousting Speaker Nick Mattiello — the “King of Rhode Island” — in District 15 in Cranston.

In Warwick, another king was toppled when Mayor Joseph Solomon lost to independent Frank Picozzi by a nearly 20% margin. 

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On the Democratic side, the Progressive Political Cooperative -- whose policy platform includes calling for a tax hike on individuals making more than $467,700 each year (the top 1%) and increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour as Massachusetts and Connecticut have already done -- notched some big upsets. 

Senate Finance Chair William Conley was soundly defeated by Cynthia Mendes in the District 18 Democratic primary in East Providence and Pawtucket, after Conley represented Marshall Development in their plan to turn the former Metacomet Golf Club into mixed-use development — which faced stiff opposition from neighbors. 

In Providence, Progressive Tiara Mack unseated Senator Harold Metts in District 6 — a seat he had held since 2004. 

Now comes the time for governing — stay tuned for 2021 to see if the political newcomers can now make significant strides up at the State House.