Evolving answers on major issues a hallmark of Fung’s campaign for governor
As Fung darted back and forth with trays, as he first did as a 10-year-old at his parents' Chinese restaurant on
"We live in fear a politician will reduce our pensions," the retiree (who asked to remain anonymous) told the 48-year-old Fung, who is seeking the
No worry, said Fung, each time he happened upon a retired public employee. His promise: a more "sympathetic" ear than he said the current governor,
"I am certainly not in the camp of
Now picture this:
The protesters' target:Fung's signing of an agreement with the
"We, at Cranston Action Network (CAN), strongly condemn the actions of Mayor
Asked last week why his own parents came to this country from
The difference? "They came here legally."
"Those that are committing crimes, you talk to anyone: those guys should go."
Such stands -- in the Trump era, in a state where
"She's doing that to run from her record of incompetent leadership ... The prime example is UHIP," said Fung, of the Raimondo administration's trouble-plagued
"Do I look like mini-Trump?" laughs the 5-foot, 6-inch, 170-pound Fung.
In actuality, Fung has made it difficult for voters to pinpoint where he stands. He declined for months to answer media questions on some front-burner issues, and agreed to only one pre-primary debate, on a
Until just recently, his campaign website reflected only one big campaign initiative: an economic plan centered on cutting the state's 7-percent sales tax to 5 percent, over four years, at a projected first-year cost of
Fung is confident the rate cut will generate more sales and by extension, more taxes. Beyond that, he believes, the state can afford a tax cut of this magnitude by cutting Raimondo-created state jobs, including public-relations staffers, and redirecting the millions of dollars that go into Raimondo's ReBuildRI tax credits, which he says create "just a few construction jobs on a temporary basis" for hand-picked corporate winners.
In a recent interview with The Journal, Fung spelled out his evolving positions on a number of issues. At times, his wife,
Abortion: Having previously called himself pro-choice, Fung -- who converted to Catholicism before marrying Fenton in
He said he supports "certain common-sense restrictions ... while still respecting a woman's right to make a medical decision." For example: "I don't subscribe to late-term abortions," do support "making sure we have parental notifications for minors, making sure there is a abortion-free option on the [state's health-insurance] exchange."
Asked if he, as governor, would sign legislation enshrining abortion rights in state law, Fenton said: "You have to be careful. Which bill are you talking about?" Echoed Fung: "It really has to depend on the legislation."
Guns: Fung says he had never used a gun and was "unfamiliar" with the differences between firearms when, in 2004, he voted as a then-member of the
"No, I don't support a complete ban," he says now. "I shoot recreationally. I shoot skeet, trap. I respect the rights of law-abiding citizens to own a firearm." The problem, he said, is criminals. "You already have a lot of laws on the books in
Of the push by some legislators to ban the concealed carrying of guns in schools, he said: "I am not sure I would go there because you have law-abiding citizens that honestly ... with response times, could be a first line of defense" against a shooter.
Residence:
Age: 48
Occupation:
Party: Republican
Previous political office:
Education:
Family: Married
This is the second in a series of profiles of the six candidates for governor who will compete in the Democratic and Republican primaries on
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
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