Allan Fung facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allan Fung
Fung in 2016
Mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island
In office January 5, 2009 – January 4, 2021
Preceded by	Michael Napolitano
Succeeded by	Kenneth Hopkins
Personal details
Born	Allan Wai-Ket Fung (1970-02-25) February 25, 1970 (age 55) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Barbara Fenton ​ (m. 2016)​
Education	Rhode Island College (BA) Suffolk University (JD)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	馮偉傑
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Feng Weijie

Allan Wai-Ket Fung (born February 25, 1970) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, for 12 years, from 2009 to 2021. Allan Fung is of Chinese descent and was the first Chinese American mayor in Rhode Island. He has also run for Governor of Rhode Island and for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.

Before becoming mayor in 2008, Fung worked as a state prosecutor. He also served on the Cranston City Council.

Early Life and Education

Allan W. Fung was born on February 25, 1970, in Providence, Rhode Island. He is the oldest of three children. His parents were Chinese immigrants from British Hong Kong. They moved to Rhode Island in 1969 and ran a restaurant in Cranston.

Fung graduated from Classical High School in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhode Island College in 1992. Later, he received a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the Suffolk University Law School in 1995. In 2009, he received an award from Classical High School for being a distinguished alumnus.

Career in Public Service

Fung honors Cranston resident Olivia Culpo with a key to the City, after her coronation as Miss USA 2012.

Fung marched in the 2016 Bristol Fourth of July Parade with his wife Barbara Ann Fenton.

From 1999 to 2001, Allan Fung worked as a prosecutor for the Rhode Island Attorney General. He then worked for MetLife, a large insurance company, from 2001 to 2009. In 2003, he was elected to the Cranston City Council. He was also recognized as a Rhode Island Bar Foundation Fellow.

As a member of the Republican Party, Fung was elected mayor of Cranston in November 2008. He won against Cynthia M. Fogarty, a Democrat, with 63% of the votes. He was the first Chinese American to be elected mayor in Rhode Island. He had previously run for mayor in 2006 but lost by a small number of votes.

Fung was re-elected as mayor in 2010 and 2012. He won a fourth term as Cranston mayor in November 2016.

Under Mayor Fung's leadership, Cranston was named one of the "Top 50 Cities to Live in America" for three years in a row. It was also listed as one of the "Top 100 Best Cities to Raise A Child" in 2017.

Due to term limits, Fung could not run for mayor again in 2020. He supported Kenneth Hopkins, who won the election. Allan Fung's term as mayor ended on January 4, 2021.

Running for Governor

Fung in 2014.

In November 2013, Allan Fung announced he would run for Governor of Rhode Island. He received support from important Republican leaders, including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. In September 2014, Fung won the Republican primary election. However, he lost the main election to Democrat Gina Raimondo.

In October 2017, Fung announced he would run for governor again. He won the Republican nomination but lost to Gina Raimondo in the general election in 2018.

Running for U.S. House

In February 2022, Fung announced he would run for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. He sought to represent Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district. He won the Republican nomination without opposition. However, he lost the general election to Democrat Seth Magaziner.

Political Views

Allan Fung describes himself as a "Rhode Island Republican," meaning he is a moderate but also fiscally conservative. This means he believes in careful spending of government money. He sees himself as a pragmatist and a centrist, someone who tries to find common ground and work with both sides.

Money and Economy

Fung identifies as fiscally conservative. He said he had to raise taxes during his first three years as mayor because of financial problems he inherited. However, he did not raise taxes during his last three years as mayor. When running for governor, he promised to lower the sales tax in Rhode Island. He also supported increasing funding for technical education and charter schools.

Community and Social Issues

Allan Fung has stated his support for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, he participated in and supported LGBT pride events in Cranston.

He has also expressed support for gun rights. He received a high rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF).

Fung opposed President Donald Trump's travel ban in 2017. He supports DACA, which helps young people who came to the U.S. as children without legal status. He also supports stronger border security. However, he is against sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Personal Life

Allan Fung met Barbara Ann Fenton, who is a physical therapist, at the 2012 Republican National Convention. They got married in the summer of 2016. Before their wedding, Fung converted to Catholicism.

See also

• List of mayors of Cranston, Rhode Island