City voters to face full slate at polls

Contests for mayor’s office and council, General Assembly races, 3 local ballot questions to be decided

The Cranston Herald ·

City voters will face a full slate when they head to the polls on Nov. 8.

Locally, the race between Republican incumbent Allan Fung and Democratic challenger Michael Sepe for a four-year term as mayor tops the ballot.

Control of the City Council, where Democrats currently hold a 5-4 edge, is also at stake. Council President John Lanni, Lammis Vargas, and Kate Aubin make up the Democratic slate for three citywide seats, while Councilman Michael Farina, Ken Hopkins, and Louis Petrucci make up the Republican field.

All six ward seats on the council are being contested. Democratic Ward 1 Councilman Steve Stycos faces a challenger from Republican Stephen Gillissie, while Republican Ward 2 Councilman Donald Botts is seeking a new term against Democrat Paul McAuley.

Democratic Ward 3 Councilman Paul Archetto is facing a re-election challenge from Johnrita Bina. In Ward 4, Republican Trent Colford, who currently represents the ward on the School Committee, is challenging Democratic Councilman Mario Aceto.

Republican Ward 5 Councilman Chris Paplauskas faces a challenge from Democrat Stephen Ciambrone as he seeks a second term, while Republican Ward 6 Councilman Michael Favicchio is seeking re-election against Democrat Sherry Ferdinandi.

Only one of the seven seats on the school board – the Ward 4 post being vacated by Colford – is being contested. There, newcomers Amy Ricci and Vincent Turchetta are vying for the position.

Citywide representative Michael Traficante, Ward 1’s Jeff Gale, Ward 2’s Stephanie Culhane, Ward 3’s Domenic Fusco, Ward 5’s Janice Ruggieri, and Ward 6’s Daniel Wall are all seeking re-election to the committee without opposition.

Cranston voters will also face several contested races for seats in the General Assembly.

Leading the way is the District 15 contest between Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Republican challenger Steven Frias. Independent Patrick Vallier will also appear on the ballot.

The race between Mattiello and Frias has drawn attention from across the state, and recent days have seen significant developments. The two are scheduled to appear on WPRI’s “Newsmakers” program on Nov. 4.

Rhode Island GOP Chairman Brandon Bell on Monday filed a complaint with the Board of Elections in the wake of allegations that the Mattiello campaign struck a deal with Shawna Lawton, who challenged Frias for the Republican nomination, in exchange for her endorsement of the speaker.

Transcripts of a Google chat conversation between Lawton and other members of a group fighting the state’s HPV vaccine mandate for schoolchildren show Lawton referring to a “promise” made by a top Mattiello aide in exchange for her support, which was announced through a mailer. GOP officials have also questioned the source of the funding for the mailer.

Mattiello and Lawton have both denied any quid pro quo.

Mattiello, throughout the campaign, has defended his record as being focused on improving the state’s economy and business climate.

“[Rhode Island is] not on a perfect foundation…but more stable than it was before,” he said during a recent interview with the Herald. “I just find it inaccurate, disingenuous, misleading to say that we didn’t have a very full agenda … The business community recognizes it.”

Frias, meanwhile, has made reform the centerpiece of his campaign. He has called Mattiello the “face of the status quo in Rhode Island,” and said defeating the speaker would turn the State House “upside down” and “bring change, guaranteed.”

“I want to be a voice for reform, change, and making Rhode Island economically competitive,” he told the Herald previously. “I have a lot of knowledge about the issues … I have a pretty clear message, and some clear solutions.”

Other House seats representing Cranston are also being contested.

In District 16, Republican Rep. Robert Lancia is seeking what would be his second term. He is facing a challenge from Democrat Christopher Millea.

Democratic Rep. Joseph McNamara, whose District 19 includes a portion of Cranston, is facing a challenge from independent David Mastriano.

In District 41 – which includes portions of Scituate and Cranston – Rep. Michael Marcello is seeking re-election. Republican Robert Quattrocchi is challenging him for the seat.

State Reps. Charlene Lima (D-14), Robert Jacquard (D-17), Arthur Handy (D-18), and Stephen Ucci (D-42) are unopposed for re-election.

On the other side of the Assembly, state Sen. Hanna Gallo (D-27) faces a challenge from Republican Jonathan Keith.

Sens. Frank Lombardi (D-26), Joshua Miller (D-28), and Erin Lynch Prata (D-31) are also seeking re-election without opposition.

In the Second Congressional District, Democratic U.S. Rep. James Langevin is seeking re-election. Republican Rhue Reis and independents Jeffrey Johnson and Salvatore Caiozzo are challenging him.

Voters across Cranston will additionally decide on three bond questions, headed by a $20-million request for street paving and repairs. The proposal has drawn widespread support from local officials and candidates, although some have spoken in support of including funding for roadwork in the city’s annual operating budget.

The Fung administration has said the $20-million figure was determined based on consultations with the Department of Public Works, and previously outlined plans to use the funding in $3 million to $4 million installments over a four- to five-year period. Officials have also pointed to low interest rates as making this an advantageous time for the city to borrow.

The second bond question seeks $4 million for Fire Department equipment and facilities, while the third asks voters to approve $1 million for upgrades to public buildings.

New restrooms at City Hall, a roof at the Budlong Pool, and an HVAC system for the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center have previously been cited as potential projects to be targeted with the funds from the third bond question.

To check your voter registration status and polling place, see a sample ballot, or find other election-related information, visit the Secretary of State’s Voter Information Center at vote.sos.ri.gov.