The Cranston Republican City Committee held its biannual reorganization meeting on Jan. 18 and elected a new slate of officers to lead the party for the next two years. Political committees by state law reorganize in January of odd years after the General Elections.

At the meeting, the committee unanimously elected the following slate of officers to lead the Cranston Republican Party through the 2023-2024 term and 2024 election:

Chairman: Matthew R. Reilly

1st Co-Vice Chairman for Operations: Thomas Trudell

2nd Co-Vice Chairman for Operations: Frank Ritz, Jr.

1st Co-Vice Chairman for Fundraising: Anthony Melillo

2nd Co-Vice Chairman for Fundraising: John Colasante

Treasurer: Joseph Gabriele

Secretary: Paula Smith

Committee members unanimously re-elected Councilman Matthew R. Reilly (Ward 6) as Chairman and unanimously elected his handpicked leadership team.

Prior to the vote, Reilly discussed the last two years of committee activity and its goals.

“While we came up short in maintaining the majority on the council, we did meet our fundraising goal for the term which was more than any previous term in the history of the party, and, most important, was the overwhelming victory our team had in obtaining the majority on the School Committee,” said Reilly.

After being re-elected as chairman, Reilly outlined his general strategy and plans for the new term.

“With the election of this leadership team, we have the passion, work ethic and political acumen to effectuate the strategies necessary to keep the Mayor’s office and School Committee, as well as regain the city council majority in 2024,” Reilly said.

The newly appointed vice-chairs (Trudell, Ritz, Melillo and Colasante) were all new candidates for office in 2022. Ritz and Melillo successfully ran for the School Committee while Trudell and Colasante had run for council seats but did not win.

The only other member of the leadership team returning with Reilly is Smith. She worked in both the Fung and Hopkins Administration in City Hall and most recently worked on the Fung Campaign.

“I was able to count on Paula for anything. She was always ready, willing, and able to take on a project big or small. Her positive attitude, pleasant nature, and relentless work ethic was integral last term,” Reilly said.

Rounding out the Cranston Republican Leadership Team is new treasurer, Joseph Gabriele. Gabriele works in a national role in the private sector and volunteered on many campaigns – including ones for Fung, Reilly and Hopkins.

In speaking about the new vice chairs, Reilly stated, “These four individuals were the most dedicated and hardest working candidates I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Their passion and relentless approach to campaigning immediately became an example for others on the team. They not only worked tirelessly on their own campaigns, they worked selflessly day-and-night for the team. Their actions motivated others and that’s what we need in the leadership of this party.”

Citywide Councilwoman Nicole Renzulli, who was recently elected as City Council Minority Leader, offered her thoughts.

“I am excited to work with this leadership team. Chairman Reilly has proven he has the knowledge to position our candidates for victory and now has gone out and recruited six of the most dedicated individuals to help him effectuate the vision and goals of the party,” said Renzulli.

“On the campaign trail, the four individuals chosen for the Vice-Chair positions went above and beyond, and set themselves apart. They each bring different skill sets and experience to the leadership and will be integral in the success of our team in 2024,” said Mayor Ken Hopkins.

“I have no doubt that this team will work non-stop to implement the strategy and fulfill the goals set forth for 2024. In collaboration with Mayor Hopkins and our republican elected officials we will continue to lead the City of Cranston in the right direction. Expect big things from the Cranston Republicans this term and in 2024,” Reilly concluded.