Woonsocket mayoral candidates spar over former city leader Lisa Baldelli-Hunt in WPRI debate

The widest divide between the two candidates vying for the Woonsocket mayoral seat centers on their relationship to former Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.

Indeed, Baldelli-Hunt, who abruptly resigned 11 months ago amid a land deal scandal, dominated a Friday debate between Mayor Christopher Beauchamp and City Council President John Ward, who are both running in the nonpartisan city mayoral race. The pre-taped debate was hosted by WPRI-TV 12 and moderated by Target 12 Chief Investigative Reporter Tim White and 12 News Politics Editor Ted Nesi.

Beauchamp, the former city council president, was appointed mayor after Baldelli-Hunt stepped down last November. At the time Baldelli-Hunt resigned, Beauchamp offered high praise for the longtime city leader, despite a string of questionable decisions during her time in office. Most notably, Baldelli-Hunt bought vacant land from her former boss, spending a portion of the city’s federal pandemic aid without council permission, and without the required real estate assessment, first reported by WPRI and later detailed in an investigation by former U.S. Attorney Aaron Weisman. Weisman, who now works in private practice, was hired by the city hired to look into the deal.

Weisman’s investigation, made public via an August report, did not result in charges against Baldelli-Hunt or others involved. The city council referred the findings to state and local law enforcement, while reversing the deal to buy the land.

Beauchamp on Friday sought to distance himself from his predecessor, maintaining that despite a three-decade relationship, Baldelli-Hunt has no influence over or involvement in his campaign.


https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/10/11/woonsocket-mayoral-candidates-spar-over-former-city-leader-lisa-baldelli-hunt-in-wpri-debate/