Michael Farina, who is currently serving in his second term on the City Council and earlier this year changed his party affiliation to Republican, has formally announced he will seek re-election in November.

In a statement, the citywide representative said he has the “track record and experience needed to ensure Cranston continues on the path to a brighter and better tomorrow.”

“Over the last four years I have been honored and privileged to support the residents of Cranston as a councilman. I consistently represented the taxpayers and ensured the city had financial stability and worked to improve bond ratings to historic levels by finding ways to allocate funding and spending more efficiently,” the statement reads.

It continues: “My tenure has seen a balanced budget, with no increase or new taxes. I have consistently put the needs of the taxpayer first and have stood diligently against those who seek to gain benefits on the backs of our citizens. Due to the acquisition of new police cars, and new firefighting equipment through grants, we are making our city streets safer and restricting the financial the burdens on our taxpayers … I worked to ensure we committed more resources to our students by adding additional funds for education, worked to bring back middle school sports, improve the cities playgrounds and fought to support all-day kindergarten.”

Through the statement, Farina pointed to “clear and concise” goals for the next two years, including operating the city in a “fiscally responsible manner”; fostering “transparent government” on the council; continuing to improve infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks; and supporting the city’s school system “by fighting unfunded mandates.”

“There will be continued financial challenges facing Cranston and we need keen financial minds to fight for Cranston’s future … Most importantly we have an obligation to expand the middle-class by attracting more well-paying employers to Cranston,” the statement reads.

The councilman’s statement also indicates he wants to be “open and accessible” to the city’s voters.

“The lines of communication must be open and council members [must] work diligently to improve their relationships with the taxpayers,” it reads. “Being more available, more social networking, and old fashioned coffee talks to keep the taxpayers up to date with everything that is going on in the city is imperative for an educated community.”

Farina’s bid for a new term has been expected. In both of his previous runs for council, in 2012 and 2014, he earned the most votes from the citywide field of candidates. He previously served as council vice president, and has spoken on multiple occasions of his intention to run for mayor in the future.

In March, after several months of voting largely with the council’s Republican caucus, Farina officially changed his party affiliation and joined the GOP. Flanked by members of his new party outside City Hall after completing the required paperwork, he touted his switch as one that “will affect the political landscape of Cranston immediately and for years to come.”

The move narrowed the Democratic advantage on the council from 6-3 to 5-4. The upcoming council campaign figures to be hotly contested with the majority at stake – particularly with Vice President Richard Santamaria, a citywide Democrat, departing due to term limits.

Ken Hopkins has already declared his citywide candidacy as a Republican, while Ward 5 Republican Chris Paplauskas earlier this month announced his own re-election bid. The filing period for candidates arrives June 27-29.

At the time of the switch, Farina cited “much frustration with the current leadership of the Cranston Democrats,” and said he had been “ostracized” because of his “lack of willingness to blindly follow a political machine that only sees party labels.”

Tensions between Farina and the council’s Democrats – and particularly Council President John Lanni – trace to Farina’s unsuccessful bid for the body’s presidency in January 2015. At the city’s inaugural ceremonies that month, Lanni was re-elected to the post on a 5-3 vote, with Farina pointedly abstaining.

Farina works as a director in financial planning and business strategy for a Fortune 100 company and sits on the CODAC Behavioral Healthcare Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Cranston High School West, and a member of the St. Mary’s Feast Society. He and his wife Ruthanne have two children, Michael and Isabella.