Congressional Democrats have long endured red waves in Rhode Island, which in 2020 voted 59% for President Joe Biden to 39% for former President Donald Trump. However, the surprise announcement in January by 21-year congressional Democratic veteran Rep. Jim Langevin that he will flee from the state’s lighter blue of its two districts in a fraught year for Democrats has given the GOP a pickup chance.
The 2nd Congressional District covers southern and western Rhode Island. House Republicans need to earn five seats in the 435-member chamber to reclaim the majority the party lost in 2018.
Fung brings to the race notoriety from his 2009-2021 tenure as mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island’s second-largest city, and popularity for governing as a centrist.
WATCH: NEWT GINGRICH'S APPROACH TO "DEATH TO AMERICA" CHANTS
“‘I’m not running to be hyper-partisan in this election or bring even more hyperpartisanship to Washington, D.C.,” Fung told the Washington Examiner. “I want to be a voice of moderation, just like I’ve been in Cranston, addressing the problems that are really hitting us in our wallets and pocketbooks.”
HORRIFIC FOOTAGE EMERGES: FRANTIC RESCUE EFFORTS AFTER RUSSIAN MISSILES HIT UKRAINIAN CITY (WATCH)
Fung, who failed a run for Rhode Island governor in 2014 and 2018, does not have the Republican nomination to himself. He’ll face former state Rep. Bob Lancia, who ran unsuccessfully in 2020 against Langevin for the 2nd Congressional District seat. Redistricting made minimal changes to apportionment in the state.
TECH GIANTS JOIN FORCES WITH DHS IN HERCULEAN BATTLE AGAINST CHILD EXPLOITATION
Fung is likely the most electable Republican candidate in a state that still favors Democrats.
“The thing that he offers is, he offers a respectable, middle-of-the-road Republican alternative,“ Maureen Moakley, political science professor emeritus at the University of Rhode Island, told the Washington Examiner. “It’s an uphill battle, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT: G7 MULLS SANCTIONS ON IRAN, WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT?
The last Republican to represent the district was former Rep. Claudine Schneider, from 1981-to 1991. Lincoln Chafee was the last Republican the state sent to Washington. For seven-plus years, he was a senator but was removed by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in the 2006 Democratic wave. Chafee was subsequently elected governor as an Independent and then became a Democrat.
WATCH: THIS IS HAPPENING HERE IN PLAIN SIGHT
Moakley thinks Democrats jeopardize losing the seat if they move too far left. Polling indicates that General Treasurer of Rhode Island Seth Magaziner is the clear front-runner in the Democratic primary, which takes place on September 13 along with the Republican contest. Magaziner is a battle-tested politician who won two statewide elections to become treasurer.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
