NJ’s Christie to stump for Fung in RI

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 10/8/14

One of the nation’s most prominent Republican officials is expected to visit Rhode Island this week in support of Cranston Mayor Allan Fung’s campaign for governor.

The planned Friday stop by …

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NJ’s Christie to stump for Fung in RI

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One of the nation’s most prominent Republican officials is expected to visit Rhode Island this week in support of Cranston Mayor Allan Fung’s campaign for governor.

The planned Friday stop by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who also serves as chairman of the Republican Governors Association (RGA), was confirmed by the Fung campaign through a statement on Tuesday.

The campaign did not release details of the visit, but Christie will reportedly take part in a public event in Johnston shortly before noon followed by a closed-door gathering in Providence.

After winning the Sept. 9 GOP primary against Barrington businessman Ken Block, Fung is facing the Democratic nominee for governor, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, in the Nov. 4 general election.

A recent poll from Rasmussen Reports found Raimondo with a 42 percent to 37 percent lead over Fung, while the Cranston mayor last month released the results of a Public Opinion Strategies survey that found each candidate with 42 percent support.

Robert Healey is running for governor as the Moderate Party’s candidate, and independent hopefuls Kate Fletcher and Leon Kayarian will also appear on the ballot.

In his campaign’s release, Fung asserts that Christie’s scheduled visit to the Ocean State “highlights the competitive nature of this race and just how important this election is for the people of Rhode Island.”

“I am proud that my candidacy has received national attention and I will continue to spread the Republican message of opportunity for all throughout Rhode Island,” the mayor states in the release.

Christie, regarded as a potential presidential candidate, is not the first GOP leader with a national profile to back Fung. Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and 2012 Republican nominee for president, endorsed Fung prior to the Sept. 9 primary vote.

In an RGA statement released following Fung’s primary win, Christie offered praise for the Cranston mayor.

“Practical governance is long overdue in Providence, and Allan Fung is ready to restore it as Rhode Island’s next chief executive,” Christie said. “Fung is an experienced leader with a vision to grow Rhode Island’s economy, restore confidence and accountability in state government, and shake up the status quo. The Republican Governors Association is proud to support Allan Fung to be Rhode Island’s next governor.”

Christie has been campaigning for Republican candidates across the nation in his capacity as chairman of the RGA, including visits to Connecticut and New Hampshire.

Fung last year was appointed to the Republican National Committee’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Council.

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