Still image from the American LeadHERship PAC’s ad critical of Allan Fung
WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Republican gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung has a big money edge over Democrat Gina Raimondo thanks to an infusion of public matching funds, while a political action committee is coming to Raimondo’s aid.
Campaign finance reports filed with the state Board of Elections late Tuesday show the Cranston mayor with $911,000 on hand. Raimondo, the treasurer, reported $334,000.
Raimondo outraised Fung $257,000 to $76,000 from Sept. 2 to Monday. But the Republican got $1.1 million in public funds last month.
Raimondo did not seek matching funds, which come with strings attached. She spent more than $5 million to win the Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, the American LeadHERship PAC is poised to launch a TV ad critical of Fung’s tenure as Cranston mayor. The PAC says it was organized to support Raimondo’s bid for governor, and spokeswoman Kate Coyne-McCoy says it also supports Democratic pro-choice women running for governor’s offices.
The :30 second ad “highlights Fung’s record as a politican responsible for raising taxes three times as Mayor, and for lobbying for insurance companies against homeowners while serving on the Cranston City Council,” according to the PAC.
In a statement, Fung Campaign spokesperson Robert Coupe said, “I would encourage them to visit Rhode Island and see firsthand the economic revitalization that Mayor Fung has brought to the City of Cranston, including three straight years without a tax increase, budget surpluses for three consecutive years and more than 1,000 new jobs.”
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s political action committee says it also plans to run ads on Raimondo’s behalf. Fung will be getting help on the stump Friday from Republican Governors Association Chairman Chris Christie of New Jersey.
