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.

Citing patient care concerns, Butler plans permanent replacements as strike enters third week
Thousands of Rhode Island children could lose access to things like meal programs, health insurance, and early childhood education if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to make major cuts to federally funded programs
The outlook remains uncertain in the Senate Judiciary Committee
McKee staffs up while preparing to seek re-election
The President’s rescission request targets all federal funding for public media through 2027, drawing fierce pushback from Democrats, rural lawmakers, and local stations — and prompting legal and political battles over press freedom and cultural influence
Whether it’s national, local, new or an encore, here’s what to watch this June on Rhode Island PBS