All eyes on mayoral races in Rhode Island
CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) – Voters lined up in Cranston ready to vote before the doors even opened at 7:00 a.m. The sentiment across the board was excitement, but anxiety.
“Nervous. Just want to do our part,” voter Jason Palmari said. “It’s important to take the little one so she sees the process and can experience it and grow up doing everything.”
Turnout was big and extended from little ones watching the process to first time voters to people who have lived in the city for years.
“It’s my first election,” Lance Peters said. “My dad pulled up the sample ballot and I’m like okay, who am I going to pick? I really studied.”
In one of the most contentious elections in our nation’s history, all eyes are on the Presidential Race.
“How many people in the world?” voter Colleen Quinn said. “We’ve got these two to choose from. It’s your preference. My family is completely divided, so you’ve got to go with your gut.”
However, there are some major races in Rhode Island, including five mayoral races. Several candidates have faced off in heated campaigns and enter the final stretch on Election Day.
In Cranston, there will be a brand new mayor for the first time in 12 years. Republican Mayor Allan Fung has reached his term limit and now Republican candidate Ken Hopkins and Democratic candidate Maria Bucci are facing off to fill that spot.
Former Mayor Fung has already endorsed Hopkins in the race.
“I feel confident,” Republican candidate Ken Hopkins said. “I’ve been in this city for 40 years. I’m surrounded by the best minds we can find in Rhode Island. I’m ready for this.”
If Bucci wins, she will become the first female mayor in Cranston’s history.
“I’m extremely dedicated to the city of Cranston and the residents and I believe we can have good people in government and somebody to look out in the best interests of everybody,” Democratic candidate Maria Bucci said.
It’s not the only race drawing attention. In Warwick, Mayor Joe Solomon is being challenged by independent Frank Picozzi. There are also races in Central Falls and Woonsocket.
In the state’s most closely watched legislative race, Speaker of the House, Nick Mattiello, is fighting to keep his seat as Republican candidate Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung is looking to kick him out. The race comes just weeks after Mattiello was questioned under oath about possible money laundering with a campaign worker in the 2016 race.
All eyes are also on Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation as Senator Jack Reed and Representatives James Langevin and David Cicilline are up for re-election, facing challenges from opponents.
In the House, Cicilline is up against two independents – Jeffrey Lemire of Providence and Fred Wysocki of Woonsocket in the 1st Congressional District Race.
In the 2nd Congressional District, Langevin is challenged by former state lawmaker, Robert Lancia.
Senator Reed is seeking a fifth term and will face opposition from Republican Allen Waters.
Polls in Rhode Island open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020
