O’Leary, Napolitano back Stycos

Two former Democratic mayors, John O’Leary and Michael Napolitano, are endorsing Citywide Councilman Steve Stycos’s campaign for mayor.

“Thank you both for your support of me and my vision for a better Cranston,” Stycos wrote in a Monday social media post announcing the endorsements.

O’Leary served as mayor from 1999 to 2003, while Napolitano held the office from 2007 to 2009. In a statement from the Stycos campaign, both offered praise for the councilman ahead of his Sept. 8 primary contest against former councilwoman Maria Bucci and Adam Carbone.

“For 20 years he has represented his community and has always had it’s best interest at heart,” Napolitano said in the statement, referencing Stycos’s 10 years of service on the School Committee and nearly 10-year tenure on the City Council.

He added: “The people of the city of Cranston would do themselves a wonderful favor in supporting a man of this character. He will be a wonderful mayor.”

“I have found [Stycos] to be an intelligent, dedicated, and fiercely independent man of integrity. He carries no political baggage and is beholden only to the wellbeing of Cranston,” O’Leary said in the statement. “Steve Stycos rises above for his commitment to the people of Cranston, his diligence to improving their lives.”

The Monday statement regarding the O’Leary and Napolitano endorsements notes that Stycos has also received the backing of several current and former council members, including Ward 3 Councilman John Donegan, Ward 2 Councilwoman Aniece Germain, former council president John Lanni, former citywide councilwoman Sarah Lee and former Ward 1 councilwoman Ellen O’Hara.

Bucci unveils ‘Cranston 2021’ plan

Maria Bucci this week unveiled a new set of policy positions, dubbed “Cranston 2021,” as she readies for next month’s Democratic mayoral primary.

“Bucci’s plan is the result of meeting with and listening to Cranston residents during this campaign to see the City from their perspective and understand what is important to them,” reads a Monday statement from her campaign.

“When I announced my campaign, I said that I wanted to hear from the people of Cranston, listen to their ideas and concerns, learn from their experiences, and create our path forward together, and now, after more than 10 weeks of phone calls, socially-distant door knocking, community meetings, and listening to as many people as possible, I’m excited to share what I have heard and lay out a vision for Cranston,” Bucci said in the statement.

The “Cranston 2021” plan covers several issues and subject areas, including inclusion, education, the economy, the environment and the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be found in full at bucciforcranston.com.

Bucci’s Monday statement also highlights her recent endorsements from Clean Water Action, the Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Women and the Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus.

Stycos backs Marino, Warner for council

After announcing his endorsements from two former mayors on Monday, Steve Stycos this week released a statement in support of two Democratic candidates for citywide seats on the City Council.

Stycos has endorsed Jessica Marino and Larry Warner for two of the three available slots that will be up for grabs in the Sept. 8 primary. Dylan Zelazo and School Committee member Paul Archetto round out the four-person field. The Democratic City Committee has endorsed Archetto, Warner and Zelazo.

“Jessica and Larry are intelligent, articulate, and extremely qualified. They will bring new perspectives to the City Council,” Stycos said in his announcement. “We are fortunate that they are running.”

RICAGV endorses Cranston candidates

Several Democratic candidates for Cranston offices have received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence.

The group has backed Steve Stycos for mayor. On the City Council side, it is supporting Ward 1 Councilwoman Lammis Vargas, Ward 2 Councilwoman Aniece Germain and Ward 3 Councilman John Donegan. It is additionally supporting Jessica Marino and Larry Warner for citywide seats on the council.

Vargas and Donegan are seeking reelection unopposed, while Germain, who was recently appointed to the Ward 2 seat, will face Republican Zac Sailer in the November general election.

”While on the City Council, I have opposed the appointment of RI’s top gun lobbyist to a municipal judgeship and sponsored a resolution urging the state legislature to ban guns in schools, assault weapons, and high capacity magazines,” Stycos said in a statement. “As your Mayor I will continue to call for sensible regulation and common sense safety measures to reduce gun violence here in Cranston.”

”One of the reasons why I decided to run for city council in 2018 was to advocate alongside many others to remove concealed weapons from our neighborhood schools … This year, it continues to remain on my list of reasons as to why I’m running to continue to be your councilwoman in Ward 1,” Vargas said in a statement on Facebook. “More work has to be done and I will continue to advocate for common sense gun reforms.”

“One of my first acts as your City Councilor was opposing the appointment of a gun lobbyist to the Cranston Municipal Court,” Donegan said in a statement. “As your City Councilor, I will continue to advocate for sensible gun legislation at the state level, and work at the local level to rid our community of gun violence.”

District 16 hopefuls tout endorsements

The two Democratic candidates for the District 16 seat in the state House of Representatives have announced new endorsements in recent days.

In separate statements, incumbent Rep. Christopher Millea, who is seeking his second term, announced the backing of Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals and IAFF Local 1363, the union representing Cranston’s firefighters.

“We appreciate Representative Millea’s long history of support for the issues that are important to our members,” reads a letter from RIFTHP President Frank Flynn, calling Millea a “strong advocate for workers and their families.”

In his own release, Local 1363 President Scott Robinson said: “We have seen District 16 Representative Chris Millea in action over the last several years as he has found innovative ways working for the citizens of District 16 without jeopardizing their safety or the safety of Rhode Island Firefighters. Rep Millea is an unbelievable advocate for the citizens of Cranston and for all Rhode Islanders at the State House.”

Brandon Potter, who is challenging Millea, announced that he has received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus. An associate of the progressive Rhode Island Political Cooperative, he has also previously won the backing of Our Revolution Rhode Island and Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island.

“Thank you@RIDWomensCaucus for all the work you’ve done and continue to do,” Potter wrote in a tweet. “I’m proud to stand w/ you in the fight for equality.”

Right to Life announces endorsements

A number of local lawmakers and candidates appear on the Rhode Island Right to Life Committee’s recently released list of endorsements for the Sept. 8 primary election.

The organization is endorsing Republican Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, the wife of Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, in her bid to unseat Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello from his District 15 seat.

Rep. Christopher Millea (D-Dist. 16) has also received the group’s backing for the primary, in which he faces a challenge from Brandon Potter. The winner will take on Republican Maryann Lancia in November’s general election.

Additionally on the House side, Right to Life has endorsed Republican Dist. 41 Rep. Robert Quattrocchi ahead of the primary. He will face one of two Democratic hopefuls, Pamela Carosi and Giuseppe Mattiello, in the fall.

On the Senate side, Right to Life has endorsed Sen. Frank Lombardi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston), who is running without opposition in the primary. He faces a challenge from Republican Anthony Fagundes Sr. in the fall.

Right to Life is also backing Democratic candidate Michael Mita in the crowded primary race to succeed Sen. Erin Lynch Prata in District 31.

Clean Water Action backs additional candidates

In addition to Democratic Cranston mayoral candidate Maria Bucci, Clean Water Action has announced its endorsement of several legislative candidates.

They include state Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston), who faces a November challenge from independent Robert Schattle, as well as Democratic hopeful Brandon Potter in House District 16 and Democratic Rep. Joseph McNamara, whose District 19 includes portions of Cranston and Warwick. McNamara faces a primary challenge from Stuart Wilson, with independent Patrick Maloney Jr. set to face the winner in November.

-- Daniel Kittredge

Political Winds is a semi-regular feature focused on the 2020 election campaign. Candidates or those with political news may contact Daniel Kittredge, editor, at 732-3100, ext. 234, or dan@rhodybeat.com.