Incumbent Republican Ken Hopkins won Cranston’s mayoral election last night with 51.6% of the vote. During his victory speech at the fluorescent-lit St. Mary’s Feast Society, Hopkins focused on thanking all of his fellow Republicans for their support and for running in other local races.
Voters in Cranston said they appreciated that Hopkins prioritized lower taxes during his last term, and also that he had a strong regard for public safety professionals. But even some of his supporters worry about his funding for the schools.
Hopkins several times thanked firefighters and police officers, and the firefighters showed strong support for Hopkins. Jonathan Francis, the newly elected president of the Cranston Firefighters’ union called Hopkins a “staunch supporter” of their efforts.
“He’s always gone to bat for us when we need it,” he said. “So he was a good choice for us.”
Plus, he said, the union usually supports the incumbent in order to have a long-lasting and stable relationship with the person in the seat of power.
Many of the voters at the Hopkins election party said they support Republicans locally, but Democrats nationally. Joe Cerullo, a former City of Providence employee, but a Cranston resident, said he supports abortion rights.
“The main reason why I didn’t vote for Trump, is because he’s putting women down. And the abortion issue,” he said. “The government has no right telling a woman what she can do with her body.”
But his wife explained that they have gotten to know Hopkins, and they like him personally, and the low taxes in Cranston.
“I think Ken Hopkins has a better personality than Trump does,” said Elizabeth Cerullo.
Across town at Lang’s Bowlarama, Democrat Robert Ferri, who used to own a bowling alley in Johnston, showed up to his election night party in a custom bowling shirt. But he was swiftly let down when results started coming in. He said he needed people who turned out for Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election to vote for him instead of Hopkins.
Ferri faulted Hopkins for being partisan and focusing on wealthy sections of Cranston.
“He’s not everybody’s mayor. He’s not, I’m saying that with all my heart,” said Ferri. “He’s as partisan as they come, period. Everything is us against them.”
But Hopkins contested that accusation.
“It’s one Cranston,” Hopkins said. “We’re all in it together. One Cranston, one heart beat. I’ve said that from day one, and whether they didn’t vote for me or not, they still have to live in this city, so we need to continue to work together.”
