While Republican Donald Trump’s election as president was considered a surprise, many local races went as expected. Several municipal leaders – from both parties –kept their seats.

Mayors in three of Rhode Island’s largest cities celebrated victories by wide margins on election night. After a failed 2014 bid for Governor and despite several high profile scandals, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung beat his Democratic rival with more than 65 percent of the vote. The Republican has led Cranston since 2008.

In Warwick, Rhode Island’s second-largest city, another Republican, Scott Avedisian, won re-election by a similar margin. First elected in 2000, Avedisian is the city’s longest serving mayor.

Pawtucket mayor, Democrat Donald Grebien, won reelection with about 75 percent of the vote. 

Reporter John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.