“I’m Back.”

That was the subject line to an email from former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung Friday. After a great deal of speculation the two-time candidate for governor and mayor for 12 years announced that he is running for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District as a Republican.

“When I ran for Mayor in Cranston, I did so because I saw my beloved city was headed down the wrong path, and I knew I could help right the ship,” Fung said in a statement. “With hard work over the next twelve years, we turned it around.  We stabilized Cranston’s finances, and transformed it into one of the Top 50 Cities to Live in America.”

Fung declined to discuss his candidacy Monday, saying he would be accessible to the news media in the coming months.

Since Congressman Jim Langevin announced in January he wouldn’t be seeking a 12th term in Congress, Fung’s name circulated as a potential candidate. 

In a matter of minutes after news broke about Fung’s run for General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, who announced as a Democratic candidate issued a statement. 

"The very first vote Allan Fung would cast in Washington would be to turn control of Congress over to the Republican leadership who care more about doing Donald Trump's bidding than they do about delivering results for working families,” said Magaziner. “I am in this race because Rhode Island needs a representative who will fight for the middle class, and we cannot allow Allan Fung and the Republicans in Washington to undermine protections for workers, repeal Obamacare, roll back voting rights, and turn back the clock women's rights."

Fung in his announcement said that he senses the country is going in the wrong direction. 

“From record-setting inflation that is robbing you of your hard-earned dollars in the grocery stores and at the gas pump, to a feeling that we are less safe at home, it's just not working for your family or mine,” said Fung. “Instead of focusing on the problems weighing on people each night at the dinner table, DC politicians spend their time attacking one another with the same old talking points.  We do not need more hyper partisan politicians.  We need a different type of leader in DC.  We need a problem solver.” 

Fung said that he wants to seek bipartisanship support on issues if elected. 

“We need leaders who are willing to work with people on both sides of the aisle to bring common sense solutions to our everyday problems,” said Fung. “I did just that in Cranston, and I can't wait to do that for you as your next Congressman.” 

Fung said that the campaign would have “an official campaign launch in the near future.”

“At which time I will share my vision with all of you,” said Fung. “ For now, just know that ‘I’m back,’ and we're going to work hard every single day to get our country back on track so that your family and mine can live the great American Dream.” Who else is in 

Fung’s entrance into the race makes him the second Republican candidate from Cranston to announce thus far. 

Last February former state Rep. Bob Lancia announced that he was going to run for the seat again after running unsuccessfully against Langevin in 2020. 

Also running in the Republican Primary is state Sen. Jessica de la Cruz. 

On the Democratic side former Cranston Herald Editor, and Cranston native Joy Fox announced that she is running as a Democrat last week. 

For years Fox worked as a communications staffer for different elected officials including then General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, and Congressman Jim Langevin. She also worked at Providence Business News, and as an assignment editor with NBC 10 during her career. She is a former editor of the Cranston Herald. 

The Democratic field also includes former state Rep. Ed Pacheco, Omar Bah the founder and executive director of Refugee Dream Center and a refugee from Gambia in West Africa, and Michael Neary, a former Rhode Island resident who spent the last few years working and living in Ohio. His past experience includes being a former national political strategist.