Jon Brien announces mayoral run
City councilman says he will challenge Mayor isa Baldelli- unt in ovember election
WOONSOCKET - In a move that probably comes as little surprise to local pol-watchers, Council 9ice resident -on Brien on hursday announced that he will challenge three-term Mayor isa Baldelli- unt in the next election.
Calling for fresh leadership and a new approach to economic development, Brien made it official as he addressed a supportive throng of friends and family members at Main St., a portion of which will serve as his campaign headquarters.
In an upbeat speech, Brien told the gathering that notwithstanding the emergence of coronavirus the fundamentals of the economy have been strong. et the city continues to struggle with a sluggish business climate and many of its residents remain mired in poverty.
They say that a rising tide lifts all boats, but we seem to remain stuck to the pier, seemingly unable to rise with the other communities that are similarly situated, Brien said.
In a reminder of the austerity days that hark back to the era of the Budget Commission, Brien said it's true that streetlights have been turned on, roads are being paved and parks have been improved. However, he said these aren't signs of economic prosperity, but rather the minimum standards that any municipality
should provide its citi ens.”
Saying the city is “stuck in the status Tuo,” Brien said businesses moving from one location to another or set ting up shop in an e isting building is “not the econom ic growth that :oonsocket sorely needs.” The city has survived, but not thrived, he said, adding, “:e can and will do better.”
Brien said the city has been on the list of the state’s economically “distressed” communities since the term was invented by the Swearer ommission in and it has the highest proportion of subsidi ed housing stock in the state – almost percent. $lso, he said, median house hold income in the city is percent lower than the state average.
Elsewhere, he said, wages are up, construction is boom ing and unemployment is at an all time low, but “our city continues to spin its wheels.”
“:ithout Tuestion, we need to turn things around,” he said. “:e need to change the way we govern, and only new leadership and a new vi sion can and will make that happen.”
Brien also called for greater transparency in ity Hall and pledged to serve as an approachable, straight talking elected official – “the people’s mayor,” as he put it. Though the council has had several run ins over the Open Meetings $ct with the attorney general’s office of late, Brien called himself an advocate of transparency and pledged to “work tirelessly to ensure :oonsocket is a shin ing e ample of what good government looks like.”
$ lifelong city resident, Brien, , has served on the ity ouncil since and is presently mid way through his second term. Previously, Brien had served as a state lawmaker in the House of 5epresentatives from . One of his colleagues in the House whose term of service dovetailed with that of Brien has a familiar name Baldelli Hunt. They both served as emocrats, a point many say is moot in the city’s non partisan elections, which prohibit candidates from aligning with a party.
But that’s not all they have in common. ike Baldel li Hunt, Brien springs from a political family He’s the second Brien in a row to run against Baldell Hunt in as many election cycles his fa ther, $lbert . Brien, also a former state lawmaker and former member of the city council, challenged Baldel li Hunt in and was de feated as the incumbent took about percent of the vote.
The mayor, as many voters know, is the niece of former Mayor harles Baldelli, who served from .
,n an interview Thursday, Brien said he recogni es the challenges of unseating an incumbent, but he believes there will be a groundswell of grassroots support from a sufficient piece of the con stituency to get the Mob done. The councilman also released paperwork filed recently with the state Board of Elections indicating that he is compet itive with the mayor finan cially.
The certified summary of campaign activity, stamped with the BOE’s official seal on March , shows that Brien has amassed a campaign warchest of , . That’s about , less than Baldelli Hunt’s most recent filings with the BOE indi cate that she has on hand, but Brien says it’s still early and the sum demonstrates that he’s a serious candidate who can bring in the reTuisite sup port to pay for an aggressive campaign.
“, think any time you take on an incumbent it’s an uphill battle, but , believe there is a groundswell of support for change and , believe this is going to be a true grassroots effort,” said Brien. “People are going to get involved. There’s already a lot of move ment and it’s e citing.”
$ lawyer, Brien is self em ployed and now heads up the Brien aw roup, which spe ciali es in criminal defense, oning and government reg ulations. He is married to 1icole Brien, whose father, Paul Bourget, is the chairman of the :oonsocket School ommittee. The couple lives at :oodland 5oad and they have four children, .ris ten, , had, , -uliana, and abriella, .
Brien’s announcement comes months ahead of the formal declaration period for candidates seeking public of fice. That period lasts several days and doesn’t usually ar rive until late -une.
:ith some legislative Mig gering in the works, the e act dates have not yet been firmed up by the city’s Board of anvassers, a spokeswom an said.
Election day is Tuesday, 1ov.