Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung | |
Birth Date: | December 10, 1980 |
Birth Place: | Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. |
State House: | Rhode Island |
District: | 15th |
Term Start: | January 5, 2021 |
Predecessor: | Nicholas Mattiello |
Birth Name: | Barbara Ann Fenton |
Party: | Republican |
Education: | Northeastern University (BS, MS) Arkansas State University (MS) |
Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung (born December 10, 1980)[1] is an American politician serving as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the 15th district. Elected in November 2020, she assumed office on January 5, 2021.
Fenton-Fung was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and was raised in Middletown. She graduated from Middletown High School in 1998 and Northeastern University,[2] where she was valedictorian of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences. She later earned a Master of Science in physical therapy from Northeastern University. Fenton-Fung has also earned a master's degree in digital media management from Arkansas State University and obtained a certificate in emergency management from Auburn University.[3]
After earning her master's degree in physical therapy, Fenton-Fung joined Rhode Island Hospital.[4] She later became involved in Republican Party politics was president of the Rhode Island Young Republicans.[5] [6]
In the 2020 elections, Fenton-Fung ran for the District 15 seat in the Rhode Island House of Representatives against Nicholas Mattiello, the speaker of the state house.[7] She defeated Mattiello by 18 points in the general election, and became the first Rhode Islander to defeat a sitting Speaker in 114 years. She is also the first woman to ever represent the district.[8]
In the 2022 election, Fenton-Fung was challenged in the Republican primary. She was victorious over Suzanne Downing, winning over 92% of the vote. Fenton-Fung was unopposed in the general election.
In January 2024, Fenton-Fung announced she was running in the Cranston mayoral race with intention to primary Republican incumbent Kenneth Hopkins.[9]
Fenton-Fung met Allan Fung at the 2012 Republican National Convention. They married at St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island, in 2016.[10]