Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung is an elected politician currently serving as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the 15th district. In 2020, Barbara won the 15th district seat for Rhode Island’s House of Representatives against the speaker of the state house and, in so doing, became the first Rhode Islander to defeat a sitting speaker in 114 years and the first woman to represent her district. In the 2022 elections, Barbara emerged victorious in the Republican primary, gaining 92% of the vote after being challenged by Suzanne Downing. Barbara also serves as a physical therapist in addition to her legislative role at the Rhode Island House of Representatives and holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University.



Barbara joins me today to discuss how being a healthcare professional has shaped her perspective on socio-economic issues while being a Republican politician. She describes what she’s learned from running her first political campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains why it’s important to bring an “investment mindset” to the Republican party when it comes to social and economic issues. She emphasizes the importance of being active in your local community and school committees. Barbara also highlights how the Republican and Democratic parties work together to address social and economic issues and underscores the unique skills women can bring as they run for public office.



“Divisiveness permeates a lot of issues, but healthcare is an area we can have a lot of bi-partisan efforts on.” - Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung



This week on Political Contessa:


Why Republicans in Rhode Island need to play a different game
Barbara’s experience running her first political campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic
The challenges and advantages of women in politics
Being the spouse of a local politician
How Barbara’s work in healthcare has shaped her perspective as a Republican politician
Having an investment mindset in social and economic issues
The willingness to help people take a different path in life
Tackling homelessness, drug abuse, healthcare, and crime beyond party lines
Talking about politics with a non-divisive approach
Getting involved in your local government and school committees
The pervasiveness of politics in our daily life
Barbara’s vision for her future in politics and why she believes in term limits



Related Episode:


Living the American Dream on the RI Campaign Trail with Former Congressional candidate Allan Fung



Connect with Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung:


Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on LinkedIn
Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on Instagram
Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on Facebook
Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on Twitter



Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa



Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.



Spotify I Stitcher I Apple Podcasts I iHeart Radio I TuneIn I Google Podcasts



Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office – or know a woman who should – head over to politicalcontessa.com to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung is an elected politician currently serving as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for the 15th district. In 2020, Barbara won the 15th district seat for Rhode Island’s House of Representatives against the speaker of the state house and, in so doing, became the first Rhode Islander to defeat a sitting speaker in 114 years and the first woman to represent her district. In the 2022 elections, Barbara emerged victorious in the Republican primary, gaining 92% of the vote after being challenged by Suzanne Downing. Barbara also serves as a physical therapist in addition to her legislative role at the Rhode Island House of Representatives and holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University.
 
Barbara joins me today to discuss how being a healthcare professional has shaped her perspective on socio-economic issues while being a Republican politician. She describes what she’s learned from running her first political campaign amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains why it’s important to bring an “investment mindset” to the Republican party when it comes to social and economic issues. She emphasizes the importance of being active in your local community and school committees. Barbara also highlights how the Republican and Democratic parties work together to address social and economic issues and underscores the unique skills women can bring as they run for public office.
 
“Divisiveness permeates a lot of issues, but healthcare is an area we can have a lot of bi-partisan efforts on.” - Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung
 
This week on Political Contessa:
 
<ul>
<li>Why Republicans in Rhode Island need to play a different game</li>
<li>Barbara’s experience running her first political campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic</li>
<li>The challenges and advantages of women in politics</li>
<li>Being the spouse of a local politician</li>
<li>How Barbara’s work in healthcare has shaped her perspective as a Republican politician</li>
<li>Having an investment mindset in social and economic issues</li>
<li>The willingness to help people take a different path in life</li>
<li>Tackling homelessness, drug abuse, healthcare, and crime beyond party lines</li>
<li>Talking about politics with a non-divisive approach</li>
<li>Getting involved in your local government and school committees</li>
<li>The pervasiveness of politics in our daily life</li>
<li>Barbara’s vision for her future in politics and why she believes in term limits</li>
</ul>
 
Related Episode:
 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com/episodes/68">Living the American Dream on the RI Campaign Trail with Former Congressional candidate Allan Fung</a></li>
</ul>
 
Connect with Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung:
 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ba-fenton-fung-mspt-msmm-b95aab197/">Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on LinkedIn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bafentonfung/?hl=en">Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on Instagram</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BAFentonFung/">Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/BarbaraAnnRI">Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung on Twitter</a></li>
</ul>
 
Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6ImzVp6n3MBUcMBP8jsZhu">Spotify</a> I <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=656529">Stitcher</a> I <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-contessa/id1588917810">Apple Podcasts</a> I <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-political-contessa-87658237/">iHeart Radio</a> I <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Political-Contessa-p1531739/">TuneIn</a> I <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZGFlMDZlNGItMGQ0YS00YmZjLTljZGEtYWRhMjAwZmFjMjNlL2Y5ODQwODQzLWIyNjUtNDI0Mi05MWFiLWFkYWYwMGFlODZmOC9jYzc1YWM1MS1hZGU1LTQwYmEtYmY5My1hZGFmMDBiMmM5NjMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M%3d">Google Podcasts</a>
 
Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office – or know a woman who should – head over to <a href="http://politicalcontessa.com">politicalcontessa.com</a> to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy, news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech. Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.  My name is Jennifer. I’m a single mom of three girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with two political science degrees, and I have no problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.  I spent three years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston Media. As a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.  Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week. For more information and resources, visit Political Contessa.

Political Contessa

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.

Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, & federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.

I’m Jennifer. I’m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I’m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.

I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I’m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.

Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit Political Contessa.

Women on the right need a safe space to discuss politics, policy and news, and ownership over the fact that it is ok to agree to disagree. It is our First Amendment right to free speech.
Before we can even out the number of women in our local, state, &amp; federal governments, we need to empower women to feel comfortable and confident discussing these and other topics.
I&rsquo;m Jennifer. I&rsquo;m a single mom of 3 girls living in Boston. I&rsquo;m a lawyer with 2 political science degrees and I have NO problem talking politics with people who disagree with me.
I spent 3 years as the Chairman of the Massachusetts GOP and ran for the very liberal Boston City Council. I&rsquo;m a frequent analyst on Newsmax, Fox News Radio, and Boston media. And as a Republican in a blue state, I know a few things about how to disagree agreeably.
Join me for fascinating conversations that engage and clarify every week and for more information and resources visit <a href="https://www.politicalcontessa.com">Political Contessa.</a>