An often contentious primary now behind them, the two Republican hopefuls for governor met at the State House on Monday in a show of unity.
Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, who won the party’s nomination on Sept. 9, received the endorsement of Barrington businessman Ken Block and took questions from the media in the Bell Room.
“True change for Rhode Island cannot come from a compromised and conflicted Democratic Party,” Block said. “We need a strong party of opposition … I offer whatever help Allan Fung needs to be elected as governor.”
“I welcome Ken and his supporters and ask for their help,” Fung said.
Framing the choice on Nov. 4 as one between the political status quo and a “government that’s efficient, transparent and accountable,” Fung also appealed to those outside the GOP.
“This is too important an election … I’m asking for every Rhode Islander’s vote, regardless of party affiliation,” he said.
The two men – each of whom had pledged on several occasions to support the winner of the primary – faced multiple questions Monday regarding the nature of the Republican contest, which was frequently negative and combative.
Both struck a conciliatory tone, and set their sights on the Democratic Party and its nominee for governor, General Treasurer Gina Raimondo.
Block said the race had been “spirited” because of the passion on both sides and the commitment of each candidate to the cause of reform. He pointed to the continued economic straits in which the state finds itself – and to projected budget deficits in the hundreds of millions of dollars in the coming years – as making urgent the need for a new approach in the governor’s office.
Referencing the multiple forums held with the Democratic hopefuls during the primary campaign, Block said he and Fung share a great deal in terms of their views on such issues as spending, tax policy and government reform.
“None of the Democrats were talking about what really mattered … There was a big difference between us,” he said. “Rhode Island cannot afford four more years of economic drift.”
Fung – who also described the GOP race as a “spirited campaign” and a “hard-fought battle” – praised Block for his plan to campaign in favor of Question 3, a referendum on the November ballot regarding whether to hold a constitutional convention. Block was also a driving force behind the successful effort to eliminate the straight-party voting option, or so-called master lever.
“I’m grateful that Ken has decided to pursue this cause,” the mayor said, adding that Block has “shown that he is a man of his word” in terms of both the endorsement and his continued advocacy for reform.
Block said a vote in favor of Question 3 is a “vote against 38 Studios style deals … a vote against politics as usual.”
Block also referenced his experience as a founder and one-time gubernatorial nominee of the Moderate Party in motivating his move to the GOP.
“I can tell you, without qualification, that they do not work,” he said in reference to third parties.
Neither man directly addressed the candidacy of Robert Healey, former standard-bearer of the Cool Moose Party, for governor as the Moderate Party’s nominee this year.
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