As Staff Jumps to Block Campaign, Fung Announces 24 GOP Endorsements

A longtime fundraiser for the GOP, Tony Bucci, has reportedly left Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung's campaign for Governor, jumping ship to help Ken Block's Republican gubernatorial campaign.

Ian Donnis at Rhode Island Public Radio reported that Bucci will take over as a senior advisor and finance chairman for Block, who is facing Fung in the Republican primary.

News that Bucci has switched campaigns broke earlier in the day Monday and shortly afterwards, Fung issued a news release touting his recent endorsements from 24 state GOP leaders.

“I am honored to have the support of the Chairs of many Republican City and Town Committees,” Fung said.  “With so many among the State Party leadership who already have joined our effort, the endorsements of these local leaders help to demonstrate the depth of support for my campaign for Governor among rank and file party members as well.  I am very grateful for the hard work of the City and Town Republican committees to support our local candidates and I welcome the twenty four Committee Chairs who have come on board.”

Locally, Cranston GOP City Committee Chairman Nick Lima said Fung has shown "tremendous leadership" here in Cranston and is appeal is evident "from his success in bringing jobs to the City of Cranston and creating a budget surplus without raising taxes."

"It is easy to understand why the voters of the City of Cranston overwhelmingly support Mayor Fung and I look forward to helping the Fung for Governor Campaign,” Lima said.

In response to Fung's announcement, Block said the mayor's endorsement announcements are a bit premature.

"We haven't asked anyone for an endorsement," Jeff Britt, Block's campaign manager, told RIPR.

Following is a list of the Republican City and Town Committee Chairs who have personally endorsed Fung for Governor.

Bill McKernan – Block Island

Nick Lima - Cranston

Jim Sullivan - Coventry

Chuck Newton - East Greenwich

Diane Allen – Exeter

Bruce Campbell - Foster

Ted Burlingame - Glocester

Amy Gallagher - Jamestown

Pat Hagan - Little Compton

Antone Viveros – Middletown

Meg Rodgers - Narragansett

Barbara Ann Fenton - Newport

Mike Grossi - North Providence

Ted Soly – North Smithfield

Scott Rotondo – Pawtucket

Jeff Richard - Portsmouth

Paul Michaud - Richmond

Scott Klimaj - Scituate

Roland Benjamin - South Kingstown

Frank Nencka - Warren

Mike Penta - Warwick

Rob Priolo - Westerly

Rob Butler - West Greenwich

Lee Ann Sennick - Woonsocket