Speaker Mattiello Emerges As Factor in Cranston Mayor’s Race
Thursday, July 02, 2020
The endorsed Republican candidate for Mayor of Cranston Michael Farina is trying to blunt attacks from GOP opponent Councilman Ken Hopkins over Farina having his nomination papers signed by Democratic heavyweights Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello and Executive Director of the Joint Committee of Legislative Service Frank Montanaro.
Mattiello has presently tied two major legal cases — a grand jury probe linked to his office and alleged threats against the Convention Center Authority, as well as the upcoming trial of Mattiello’s campaign consultant Jeffrey Britt linked to activities of Mattiello’s narrow victory over Republican Steve Frias in 2016.
Hopkins, who lost out to Farina for the GOP nomination, was critical of Farina’s links to two high profile Cranston Democrats.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Don’t forget that my opponent just converted to the Republican Party in 2016 after years as a Mattiello/Montanaro Democrat. Well it looks like he may be going back home,” said Hopkins.
Hopkins said, “It would have been nice if my opponent had asked them about restoring our state aid for Cranston schools rather than for a signature.”
Hopkins said, “There are 58,000 voters in Cranston and on the first day Mr. Farina runs out to recruit two top Democrats for signatures. I have known the Speaker for years but, as a Republican, it is inappropriate to seek his support especially that there are two Democratic candidates in their own primary as well.”
The backdrop to the battle over ties to Mattiello can also be linked to Mattiello’s race in the 15th District with Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung’s wife’s race against Mattiello.
Barbara Ann Fenton Fung is considered a serious challenger to Mattiello.
More controversy hit Mattiello as Britt's attorney filed an Access to Public Records Act request for documents of the JCLS. On Wednesday, Republican House Minority Leader Blake Filippi continued to press for transparency of the JCLS and asked for Attorney General to take action regarding records.
"As many of you know, the JCLS is the spending arm of the general assembly – which by law must be controlled by a bipartisan group of legislators. Yet, the JCLS has not met in over ten years. TEN Years! Rather, it has been taken over by Speaker Mattiello – who has declared himself a one-man majority of this 5-member committee," said Filippi.
Mattiello's office fired promptly back.
“Leader Filippi’s press conference today was purely political theater. If he had taken a few moments to review the General Assembly website, he would have seen the proper procedures for anyone seeking public records pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act," said Mattiello spokesperson Larry Berman. "All records requests properly filed with JCLS are answered in a timely manner. Many members of the media and the public follow these procedures without any confusion. It is ironic that Leader Filippi is complaining publicly when he never told anyone in JCLS that he received this request for information."
“JCLS has no records pertaining to this matter. The Fiscal Year 2020 budget appropriated $500,000 from general revenues for the statewide Complete Count Committee, created by the Governor’s executive order (18-09). The Department of Administration is responsible for this funding and any federal funds that may have been used to supplement it," Berman added.
Hopkins Charges
Hopkins said, “I see on Facebook that my opponent had a good first day getting Democratic signatures on his papers highlighted by his two chief supporters House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and his aide Frank Montanaro.”
In response, Farina wrote in an email to supporters, “Apparently, my opponent has taken issue with signatures on my nomination papers from Democrat leaders? Is Hopkins not going to support all Cranston residents as Mayor and refuse to listen or work with Democrats? It is essential to work in a bipartisan manner to be an effective leader – even if you don’t always share the same points of view.”
“The Farina campaign has an overwhelming amount of support and endorsements from the Labor unions, the Cranston Republican City committee, and most importantly, as the polls will show in September and November — the people of Cranston. Ken Hopkins has no official endorsements other than Mayor Fung,” charges Farina.
Editor's Note: Fenton Fung is no relation to GoLocal CEO and co-founder Josh Fenton
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