Hopkins announces mayoral bid, receives Fung’s endorsement

Second-term councilman cites 'personal integrity and a career of broad city service experience'

By DANIEL KITTREDGE
Posted 4/27/20

Republican Citywide Councilman Ken Hopkins on Monday formally announced his anticipated campaign for mayor – along with the endorsement of Allan Fung, who he is vying to succeed.

“I …

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Hopkins announces mayoral bid, receives Fung’s endorsement

Second-term councilman cites 'personal integrity and a career of broad city service experience'

Posted

Republican Citywide Councilman Ken Hopkins on Monday formally announced his anticipated campaign for mayor – along with the endorsement of Allan Fung, who he is vying to succeed.

“I love this city. We all know that Mayor Fung has been a superb mayor, but we need to continue to build upon that success,” Hopkins said in statement released Monday. “While emboldening a legacy of fiscal responsibility, I promise to heavily support education and our senior services. Our administration will be the envy of the state in our responsiveness to the residents who are placing their trust in us.”

In the same release, Fung – who cannot seek reelection due to term limits – said: “Throughout his career, Ken has tirelessly served our city and demonstrated unquestionable integrity. I know he will continue my legacy of fiscal responsibility and ensure that every single resident knows that they don’t have to ‘know a guy’ in order to get the services they deserve out of City Hall.”

In addition to the statement, Hopkins released a video message about his candidacy that includes an appearance by Fung.

Hopkins, 65, was first elected to the City Council in 2016 and is in his currently in his second term. Now retired, he taught at Cranston High School East more than a decade before spending 13 years as the athletic director of the city’s schools. He is also a former baseball coach at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Late last year, Hopkins’ wife, Mary, a longtime math teacher at Hugh B. Bain Middle School, passed away after a battle with cancer.

The mayoral run represents a significant turnaround for Hopkins. Last year, he told the Herald that he planned to pass on a bid for the city’s top elected office and instead focus on recruiting council candidates with an eye toward winning reelection and serving as the body’s president in the next term.

In recent months, however, Hopkins provided strong hints via social media that his thinking had changed. Prior the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, he had scheduled an April 13 campaign announcement at the Cranston Country Club.

His entry into the race sets up a likely Republican primary contest with City Council President Michael Farina, who announced his candidacy in January. On the Democratic side, Citywide Councilman Steve Stycos is the only announced candidate at this point.

The statement from Hopkins touts his pledge to “bring personal integrity and a career of broad city service experience to the mayor’s office.” It also highlights the councilman’s support for the planned Cranston Public Schools bond question to fund an ambitious facilities improvement project.

“Continuing on the legacy of Mayor Fung’s fiscal responsibility, Ken promises not to take chances with taxpayer dollars, but invest wisely in constituent services,” the statement reads. “He is going to be the ‘Education Mayor’ and is a big proponent of the school bond to help speed needed infrastructure repairs across Cranston’s schools. Additionally, he will work hard to continue growth of senior services in the city so that those who grow up in Cranston can enjoy their retirement in Cranston.”

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  • KimLorene

    You have my vote!

    Monday, April 27, 2020 Report this

  • Zach316

    You have my vote Ken! I am a registered Republican I will be voting for you in the primary!

    Monday, April 27, 2020 Report this

  • Zach316

    My kids and are will be voting for you Ken! Goodluck!

    Tuesday, April 28, 2020 Report this