Cranston GOP Mayoral Candidates Trade Accusations of Corruption During Debate

Incumbent Ken Hopkins and challenger Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung faced off to discuss the issues

Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins and Rhode Island state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung debated the issues.
Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins and Rhode Island state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung debated the issues.
Submitted photos.
Share
Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins and Rhode Island state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung debated the issues.
Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins and Rhode Island state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung debated the issues.
Submitted photos.
Cranston GOP Mayoral Candidates Trade Accusations of Corruption During Debate
Copy

The two candidates vying for the Republican nomination in the Sept. 10 mayoral primary in Cranston traded allegations of corruption and debated the finer points of education, homelessness, and the fate of the city’s storied recreational pool on Aug. 26.

Nearly 100 people attended the event as the contentious race between incumbent Mayor Ken Hopkins and the challenger, state Rep. Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, moved into the home stretch.

The debate was held in the Cranston Public Library’s main branch. It was moderated by John Howell. Isabella Jibillian and Ian Donnis of Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio joined Rory Schuler of the Cranston Herald as panelists.

You can watch the debate on the Cranston Public Library’s YouTube channel here.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

The new state law also mandates RAs to be trained to administer the life-saving opioid reversal medication
In her latest novel These Summer Storms, Rhode Island author Sarah MacLean trades dukes for tech dynasties, spinning a tale of inheritance games, family dysfunction, and second chances—set against the brooding backdrop of a storm-lashed island estate
After a near-fatal accident left him paralyzed, Google engineer Sasha Blair-Goldensohn turned personal adversity into advocacy—transforming Google Maps and New York City’s subway system to better serve people with disabilities, and reminding the world that accessibility benefits everyone
More than 1,200 voters cast ballots early in four-way primary competition
OCTOBER 16, 2025 | 7:00 P.M.