Former Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt spoke out for the first time Monday about her potential plan for seeking a return to the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
After fainting at an April 2023 event, the former 10-year state representative said her decision on whether to challenge Rep. Jon Brien (I-Woonsocket) hinges on pending questions about her health. Potential candidates for state and local offices have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to file their declaration of candidacy.
Baldelli-Hunt served as a state representative for seven years before running for mayor in 2013.
Chatter about a potential Statehouse comeback has persisted for months, and Baldelli-Hunt confirmed that she commissioned a poll by pollster Joe Fleming.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of the poll,” she said, asserting that it shows a favorable path for her.
The former mayor sent a recent thank-you mailer to Woonsocket voters touting her record.
Baldelli-Hunt abruptly resigned as mayor last November, following revelations by WPRI about her ties to a controversial land deal.
Asked if that would jaundice voters against her, Baldelli-Hunt said she believes she has a strong fiscal record to run and that her fiscally conservative views are in line with those of Woonsocket voters. She declined to comment about whether investigators have spoken to her about the land deal, but promised to say more in the future.
Baldelli’s uncle, Charles, is a former mayor of Woonsocket. Her nephew, Rocco Baldelli, is the manager of the Minnesota Twins.
