Raimondo Becomes RI's First Female Gov.

Democrat Gina Raimondo has defeated Republican Allan Fung to become the first woman elected Rhode Island governor despite being snubbed by some prominent labor groups.

Raimondo's victory Tuesday over the Cranston mayor also makes her the first Democrat elected to the job since 1992.

The 43-year-old state treasurer was favored going into the general election but struggled to consolidate public-sector union support following her 2011 pension overhaul. Fung also opened a big money lead after an infusion of matching funds.

Raimondo focused her campaign on plans to improve the state's chronically struggling economy. She wants to oversee a manufacturing resurgence and has proposed investments in infrastructure, tourism and workforce development.

She said fixing the economy will require tough decisions like the pension overhaul but that, in her words, "I'm ready."

Contact Us