Political Winds

Posted 9/9/20

Where the money race stands More than $330,000 has been spent in the campaign for mayor since the start of 2020 - and the candidates vying for the Democratic and Republican nominations are in varying financial positions based on the final campaign

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Political Winds

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Where the money race stands

More than $330,000 has been spent in the campaign for mayor since the start of 2020 – and the candidates vying for the Democratic and Republican nominations are in varying financial positions based on the final campaign finance report filed before Tuesday’s primary election.

Reports due to the state’s Board of Elections on Sept. 1, seven days before the election, outline each candidate’s fundraising and spending activities in the period between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31.

Republican City Council President Michael Farina reported having nearly $46,000 as of Aug. 31, a balance that includes nearly $42,000 in loans. Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31, his campaign raised $19,000 in individual donations and spent $21,919.

Since Jan. 1, Farina’s campaign has raised $43,451 in individual contributions and $2,250 in political action committee contributions, including $1,000 from Cranston Firefighters for Public Safety, $250 from IAFF Local 1363, $500 from the Cranston Teachers’ Alliance and $500 from IBPO Local 301, the local police union. Since the start of the year, his campaign has spent $77,220.

Republican Citywide Councilman Ken Hopkins reported having $23,613 as of Aug. 31, a balance that includes $26,500 in loans. Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31, he raised $10,345 through individual donations and spent $19,974.

Since Jan. 1, Hopkins has raised $51,380 in individual contributions. His campaign also reported $965 in individual in-kind contributions and $500 from the Cranston Teachers’ Alliance. Since the start of the year, his campaign has spend $56,774.

On the Democratic side, former Ward 4 councilwoman Maria Bucci reported $2,021 on hand as of Aug. 31, a balance that includes $44,000 in loans. Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31, she raised $11,700 through individual contributions. She also loaned her campaign an additional $15,000 and received contributions of $100 from the Rhode Island Democratic Women’s Caucus PAC, $150 from RI NOW PAC and $250 from the United Food & Commercial Workers.

Since Jan. 1, Bucci’s campaign has raised $89,310 in individual contributions and the $500 from PACs. Her campaign has spent $164,863 since Jan. 1.

Democratic Citywide Councilman Steve Stycos reported having $58,966 on hand at the end of August, a figure that includes $50,000 in loans. Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31, he raised $4,089 through individual contributions and spent $9,255.

Since Jan. 1, Stycos’s campaign has raised $28,123.35 in individual contributions and received $485 in individual in-kind contributions. He has also received a $500 contribution from the Cranston Teachers’ Alliance. The campaign has spent $31,172 since the start of the year.

The third Democratic candidate, Adam Carbone, raised $125 through individual contributions and loan his campaign an additional $195 between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31. His Aug. 31 balance of $11.47 includes $4,483 in loans. He has raised $639 through individual contributions during the campaign and spent $5,220 – the largest expense by far being $2,075 for billboards through Lamar Advertising.

Late endorsements in mayoral contest

Two of the candidates for mayor received endorsements from City Council candidates in the final days before Tuesday’s vote.

Larry Warner, one of four Democratic hopefuls for the party’s three citywide slots on the November general election ballot, announced through a statement that he is backing Steve Stycos.

“I’m supporting Steve Stycos for mayor of Cranston, because on issues ranging from education to the environment, or from free school breakfast to the city’s budget, Steve has a track record which shows his commitment to the residents and employees of Cranston,” Warner’s statement reads. “In choosing the next mayor of Rhode Island’s second largest city, we need someone who has recent, relevant experience, and has demonstrated effectiveness in all areas important to our residents. We need Steve’s experienced leadership to help navigate Cranston through the challenging health and economic times that we live in.”

Warner joins citywide hopefuls Jessica Marino in supporting Stycos. Dylan Zelazo, another of the candidates, has endorsed Maria Bucci. The fourth citywide Democratic candidate, School Committee member Paul Archetto, did not make an endorsement in the race.

On the Republican side, Ward 6 council candidate Matthew Reilly announced his endorsement of Hopkins for the GOP nomination.

Reilly’s statement does not mention Michael Farina by name, but takes clear aim at the council president. At one point, it lists “character flaws that Ken Hopkins does not possess that that led him to his decision” to endorse the citywide councilman.

“I have had the pleasure to know Ken Hopkins for 35 years. Over the decades, Ken has proven himself to be a man of strong character, high morals, and unwavering values,” Reilly said in his statement. “Ken is devoid of personal ego and ambition. He does things for the right reason, not for personal gain. Ken Hopkins is a man of his word that can be trusted. He has the heart, leadership skills, and team building experience to be the chief executive of this great city.”

Hopkins has also received the backing of former Ward 2 councilman Paul McAuley and current Ward 5 Councilman Chris Paplauskas. --

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.

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