The invitation to the Fung for Governor fundraiser headlined by Mitt Romney. Submitted photos.
By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
Invites are going out in the mail for an Allan Fung fundraiser headlined by former Republican nominee for president and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
According to the invitation, the gathering will take place at the Providence Biltmore Hotel on October 16, less than a week after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s visit to Rhode Island to campaign for Fung.
“Mayor Fung is very grateful to have Governor Romney’s support,” said spokesman Robert Coupe in an email. “Governor Romney knows that Mayor Fung has a proven record of success in turning around the City of Cranston and he believes that as Governor, Allan will do the same for Rhode Island.”
The event includes a VIP reception and a luncheon, and guests can attend both for $1,000. Tickets to the luncheon alone are $250.
In September, Romney endorsed Fung ahead of the Republican primary, saying in a recorded message, “Allan stood with me, while his opponent, Ken Block, stood with Barack Obama.”
Fung’s consulting firm, the Shawmut Group, includes former Romney staffers. In a televised debate, Block said he considered the Shawmut Group, and claimed he had been offered Romney’s endorsement had he decided to hire them. Fung denies that.
Fung now faces Democrat Gina Raimondo in the governor’s race. According to the most recent campaign finance reports, Fung leads Raimondo in terms of cash on hand, with $910,763 to Raimondo’s $333,645.
But without an active People’s Pledge, outside spending is now a factor in the race. On Wednesday, the Raimondo-supporting LeadHERship PAC released an attack ad against Fung.
“As we just learned, special interests and out-of-state donors are lining up to smear Allan’s reputation in Rhode Island,” said Coupe. “They are bankrolling misleading and negative attack ads against Mayor Fung in an attempt to distract from Ms. Raimondo’s mismanagement of the state pension fund and her unyielding support for the Wall Street investors who stand to profit from 38 Studios at taxpayer expense. The Fung campaign will need plenty of resources to fight-off these attacks and we appreciate Governor Romney’s assistance and support.”
RI GOP Chairman Mark Smiley says Romney’s appearance in the state is a good sign for Fung in his match up against Raimondo.
“Him coming into town is an indication that the Republican Governors Association is very interested in this race because its another pickup,” said Smiley.
Romney’s last visit to the Ocean State was during his 2012 presidential campaign when he stopped at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Warwick.
