RIGOP Congratulates Woonsocket Mayor-Elect Leo Fontaine

Calls Strong Victory "Hope for Woonsocket and for Rhode Island"

Warwick, RI - Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Giovanni Cicione today congratulated former State Party Chair Leo Fontaine on his resounding win in the race for mayor of the City of Woonsocket.  "Having known Leo for close to twenty years, I am sure that his proven committment to public service and especially to the people of Woonsocket will yield great results for the city."   

Fontaine won the elction by a 14.8% margin, made all the more dramatic by the fact that Woonsocket has long been a stronghold for Democrats, having most recently giving Barrack Obama a 32.2% margin of victory on the 2008 election cycle.  "To see such a dramatic swing in voter interests in a one year period is stunning," said Cicione, "and is even more telling given that Leo is so strongly identified as a Republican, having served at State Party Chair."  "A win like this will certainly help put to rest any concerns about the Republican 'brand' in Rhode Island."               

"The voters have put their trust in Leo Fontaine," Cicione continued, "and we wish him success in doing what it takes to make Woonsocket a center for growth and prosperity and a great state leader once again."  "With such an impressive and clear mandate for change, I have every confifdence that, even in these difficult times, there is hope for Woonsocket and for all of Rhode Island."