Almost exactly a month after launching her campaign to succeed retiring US Representative James Langevin, state Senator Jessica de la Cruz announced late Thursday that she is dropping out of the race and endorsing former Cranston mayor Allan Fung.
“After deep thought, prayers, and conversations with my family, I have decided to suspend my Congressional campaign,” she said in statement shared on Twitter.
“I believe that Mayor Fung now represents the best chance for Rhode Island to send a Republican to Congress,” she said. “He has my full endorsement.”
Thank you for all the support! I'm grateful to have the opportunity to continue my work in the RI State Senate. pic.twitter.com/iMpAf3TZhL
— Senator Jessica de la Cruz (@JessicaforRI) April 15, 2022
“Senator de la Cruz is a friend, a leader in the Senate, and a dedicated public servant.” Fung responded on Twitter. “I’m humbled by her endorsement of my candidacy for Congress.”
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Senator de la Cruz is a friend, a leader in the Senate, and a dedicated public servant. I’m humbled by her endorsement of my candidacy for Congress. https://t.co/ds74eJfRrW
— Mayor Allan Fung (@AllanFungRI) April 15, 2022
De la Cruz, 40, is in her second term in the state Senate, where she represents Burrillville, Glocester, and North Smithfield — her hometown.
“Thank you for all of the support!” she Tweeted. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue my work in the RI State Senate.”
Fung and former state Representative Robert Lancia are the only Republicans remaining in the race. The Democratic candidates are state Treasurer Seth Magaziner, former political strategist Michael Neary, former Langevin aide Joy Fox, Biden administration official Sarah Morgenthau, and Omar Bah, executive director of The Refugee Dream Center in Providence.
Lylah Alphonse can be reached at lylah.alphonse@globe.com. Follow her @WriteEditRepeat.