WBOB Original Reads

Five Reasons Why Allan Fung Might Win

10/26/2018

Tyler Krusz

It’s almost that time- Midterm Election Day is just over a week away, and incumbent Gina Raimondo is going up against several challenges, including a rematch against Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung.

Fung contested Raimondo tightly in 2014, and could have won had it not been for a number of voted going to third-party candidate Bob Healey. The four-term mayor has done his best to keep the race close once again. Here are five reasons he could pull off the victory over the governor.

“It’s the Economy, Stupid” - One of Fung’s biggest campaign initiatives is revamping Rhode Island’s economy. He proposes a cut on the sales tax to 5 percent, a reduce on back taxes, and cut the price of starting a company in Rhode Island. The goal is to take Rhode Island, one of the worst states to own a business, and make it business-friendly. As Bill Clinton famously said in the 90’s, “It’s the economy, stupid.” When the state is struggling financially, the governor usually fails at reelection. Usually.
2016 Trump Vote - Although we’re a blue state, and always a blue state, Trump won 38.9 percent of Rhode Island’s vote in 2016. He even a victory in Kent County. There’s a lot of talk about the silent Trump support in RI. That could easily play in the Republican’s favor.
Gina’s Troubled Past - Gina’s résumé consists of hauling the pensions into hedge funds and suspending cost-of-living adjustments as treasurer to her reported $660 million blunder with the Unified Health Infrastructure Project- I’m sure you’ve heard of UHIP. Fung’s advertisements have taken advantage of that, and the skeletons in her closet could be his ticket to the State House this fall.
Cranston - Fung has been Mayor of Cranston for four terms, and has turned the city completely around. In 2016, Cranston found itself as one of the country’s Top 50 Cities to Live In, and was voted Rhode Island’s best city in 2018. Fung has proven his ability to lead one of RI’s most populated cities and has a strong base there, which could be his ride to victory.
Desire for Change - It’s no secret: Rhode Islanders aren’t happy. From, “the roads suck,” to, “Raimondo is costing us millions,” the consensus is the same- people want change. With the questioned temperment of Joe Trillo and Raimondo’s shaky past, Fung looks like the most capable candidate to provide that change.