Woonsocket Mayor Baldelli-Hunt attributed her decision to step down to ongoing health issues.
“As you may be aware, I suffered some serious health concerns back in April of this year,” Baldelli-Hunt writes in her letter, referring to an incident in which she fainted while speaking at a public event. “In the months since then I have done my best to continue the work I was elected to do and have accomplished for the past 10 years here in our beloved city.Unfortunately, my health issues have not resolved as I had hoped and the effects on me, as well as my family have impacted my ability to move the city forward.”
Baldelli-Hunt has faced recent scrutiny for a WPRI report showing how she supported a controversial land deal without City Council approval.
The City Council removed Baldelli-Hunt from office last year in a different dispute. She later won re-election from voters.
State Rep. Jon Brien (D-Woonsocket) said during his time as City Council vice president from 2016 to 2020 “we were forced to pass multiple remediative measures to combat conduct very similar to the very transaction that led to Lisa’s ultimate resignation. The 2020-2022 Council was forced to censure and ultimately remove her for willful violation of the City Charter. The latest, and most unfortunate event, that has resulted in Lisa’s political demise comes as no surprise to those who have been paying attention.”
Baldelli, a socially conservative Democrat, beat GOP incumbent Leo Fontaine in 2013 to first win the mayor’s office. She previously served as a state representative.
Baldelli-Hunt gained the mayor’s office years after her uncle Charles held the job. Her nephew is Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
