Chafee Campaign Announces Addition of Two Key Advisers

August 26, 2010

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NEWS RELEASE
For Release: Immediate

Contact: Mike Trainor
(401) 252-1097
mtrainor@chafeeforgovernor.com
chafee-staging.leftbrain.net

Chafee Campaign Announces Addition of Two Key Advisers

(Warwick, Rhode Island, August 26, 2010) Lincoln Chafee, independent candidate for Governor, today announced the appointment of two key advisers to his campaign. Retired District Court Judge Stephen Erickson will come on board as Senior Legal Ad viser, while Jonathan Stevens will serve as Director of Policy.

            "I am very excited and grateful to have these two exceptionally qualified individuals join my campaign," Chafee said. "Judge Erickson and Jon Stevens both bring a wide range of experience, knowledge and expertise that will prove invaluable to my efforts to become Rhode Island's next Governor."

            As Senior Legal Adviser, Judge Erickson will provide legal representation to the campaign as needed and will serve as a member of the campaign leadership team. Stevens, as Director of Policy, is leading the development of the campaign platform and will also serve on the leadership team.

            Judge Erickson recently retired after 20 years on the District Court bench, where he was noted for his expertise in mental health issues and played a vital role in developing the Kent County mental health clinical project. Prior to joining the District Court in 1990, Judge Erickson served for four years as Legislative Counsel in the Office of the Governor and for eight years represented parts of Aquidneck Island as a Republican state representative, where he was elected Minority Whip. He is a member of the Newport Hospital Ethics Committee and the External Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences at URI, and has taught there, at Roger Williams University and at CCRI. Judge Erickson holds a bachelor's degree from URI and a law degree from Boston University.

            Jonathan Stevens has served in a number of positions in local, state and federal government, including stints as Legislative Director in Senator Chafee's Washington office, Office Director of Senator Chafee's Newport office, Congressional Liaison to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Planning Director for the City of Warwick, Director of Economic Development for the City of Newport and District Press Secretary for US Rep. Claudine Schneider. He held senior staff positions on both of Chafee's campaigns for US Senate, as well as his campaigns for Mayor of Warwick. Stevens holds a bachelor's degree from Boston University, a master's degree in Community Planning from URI and has been an adjunct lecturer at Brown University.

            Lincoln Chafee, former Mayor of Warwick and former US Senator, seeks to become the first independent Governor in Rhode Island history, running on a platform of honesty, proven experience and political independence.

Click here for PDF of press release.

Linc Chafee is a tested leader of unquestioned integrity and a strong independent voice. As Governor, he will work hard to create new jobs, rebuild our economy, solve our chronic budget problems, end corruption, and forge a new way forward for Rhode Island.