Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung, the wife of Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, has filed paperwork with the state Board of Elections to run for the House seat held by Speaker Nicholas Mattiello.

"In response to a near tsunami of support in Cranston to end what has become the Mattiello horror show, this allows us to legally take the logical next steps to start fundraising and putting a winning team in place prior to formally launching a campaign," Fenton-Fung wrote in a Monday morning email. "We are extremely excited about what 2020 has in store, including ridding District 15 of the never-ending scandals that surround its state representative."

Mattiello has held the District 15 House seat since 2007 and won close, hard-fought campaigns in the past two elections.

His spokeswoman Patti Doyle issued this statement on Democrat Mattiello’s behalf:

"I look forward to the continued honor of representing the citizens of House District 15 and intend to run on my strong record of accomplishment and leadership for the District and the City of Cranston.

"A small snapshot of those accomplishments include legislation that has strengthened our state's economy and job climate, ensured the phase-out of the onerous car tax, eliminated the income tax for many seniors who receive Social Security, addressed the opioid crisis, increased education aid, and strengthened school safety measures.

"I continue to fight against the Governor's attempts to reduce municipal funding,’’ he said. "Unquestionably, my focus always has been and will continue to be on how I can best represent my constituents."

In the wake of General Assembly passage last year of legislation enshrining abortion rights in state law, Fenton-Fung already has the backing of one group that formerly backed Mattiello: the Rhode Island Right to Life Committee.

"Very happy to see that @BarbaraAnnRI is challenging the most pro-abortion Speaker in Rhode Island history!’’ the group led by Barth Bracy tweeted.

Mattiello’s two-time challenger Steven Frias has made it clear Monday that he will not challenge Fenton-Fung in a GOP primary for the right to run against Mattiello a third time.

His statement: "Running against the Speaker and nearly toppling him and his State House machine was an experience of a lifetime for me. I will never forget the support I received from everyone who chose honesty over corruption.

"However, as I have stated previously, I was a reluctant candidate in ... both my races against the Speaker, in particular the second time I ran. I have been aware for some time of Mrs. Fung’s interest in running for the District 15 seat, and I have not discouraged her.

"Assuming the Speaker even runs again, despite the swirl of scandal and possibility he may be indicted, I expect to be supporting Mrs. Fung over the Speaker in November,’’ Frias said.

Fenton-Fung’s political experience includes time spent as executive director of the Young Republican National Federation, leader of the Rhode Island Young Republicans and chairwoman of the Chairman’s Caucus for the state GOP.

Allan Fung, who was the Republican nominee in the last two gubernatorial elections, is barred by term limits from running for reelection as mayor.

"I have realized most of you have no idea about me outside of being Allan’s wife,’’ said Fenton-Fung on Monday, providing this background:

She is the daughter of Liana, a special education teacher; and Mike, an electrical engineer for the Navy. Fenton-Fung, who refers to herself as "BA,’’ says she was a state, regional and national champion gymnast.

She says she attended Northeastern University and became valedictorian at its Bouvé College of Health Sciences. She also studied at Edinburgh University in Scotland and the University of Sydney in Australia "on her way to earning her first Master's degree in Physical Therapy."

She is currently finishing her second master's degree, this time in digital media management, from Arkansas State University. She also earned a certificate in emergency management from Auburn University.

She works at Rhode Island Hospital.

Describing the late state Sen. June Gibbs as an "extremely close friend of her mother's,’’ she said Gibbs "weeks before her death in 2012 ... urged Barbara Ann to run as a delegate for the presidential convention.

"Later that year, [she was] elected, and infamously meet her future husband at that convention when her wayward umbrella smacked him in the head."

She says she is "passionate’’ about health-care issues, including opioid abuse, and serves on the board of the Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force.

"Politically,’’ she says, "she has brought her brand of moderate republicanism to the party structure, being elected Chairwoman of the Rhode Island Young Republicans for four years, and serving as the national Executive Director for the YR organization."

Kgregg@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @kathyprojo

panderson@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: PatrickAnderso_