When McCarthy came to the Ocean State on Saturday, he tweeted a picture of himself with Fung, and commented, “Great day with a great candidate. Let’s turn #RI02 red.”
Fung avoided any mention of the visit by McCarthy for over 48 hours before ultimately putting out a statement, blaming Democrats for inflation and vowing to be an independent voice in Congress.
“I’ve been clear about how in representing the District first and foremost, I won’t always be with the mainstream of the party on certain issues,” Fung said. “The Leader expects nothing less than to put my constituents first, and said publicly he’s going to make sure I’m on the most important committees to do the most good for those of us here at home.”
McCarthy’s visit reflects how Republicans see their best chance in years to compete for a congressional seat in heavily Democratic Rhode Island.
The Second District seat became open when U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, first elected in 2000, announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election.
Before Fung spoke out, Democrat Seth Magaziner’s campaign manager, Katie Nee Zambrano, tweeted that Fung was keeping quiet to avoid drawing attention to national Republican policies on issues like abortion and healthcare.
James Singer, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the fundraising arm for House Democrats, criticized McCarthy’s appearance in support of Fung.
“Fung made a deal with the devil,” Singer said in a statement. “He’s joined McCarthy’s radical horde that wants to ban abortion, attack law enforcement, and do the bidding of Donald Trump instead of Rhode Island.”
Magaziner is the frontrunner among six Democratic rivals squaring off in a Sept. 13 primary. His campaign says Magaziner and his family, after previously living in the First District, have recently moved into a home in the Second District.
Congressional candidates are not required by law to live in the district they represent, although they must reside in the relevant state.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon
