News

Chafee Announces the Formation of an Exploratory Campaign for 2010 Rhode Island Governor's Race

Providence, R.I. - April 6, 2009 - Lincoln D. Chafee today announces the formation of an exploratory campaign for the 2010 Rhode Island Governor's race. Chafee will spend the next several months meeting with advisors and supporters putting together a plan that will lay the groundwork for an Independent campaign for Governor in 2010 - in what will be the first major Independent candidate to seek the office.

Citing a history of bringing disparate groups of people together to solve common problems, Chafee says "The time has come to stop the political bickering and start using our collective expertise to make the kinds of bold decisions that will position Rhode Island as a model of economic, civic and social success, not a state in decline."

Chafee is the only potential gubernatorial contender that possesses governmental experience on the local, national and international level. Having served as a member of the Warwick City Council for six years, followed by seven years as its Mayor, culminating with seven years service in the United States Senate on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chafee knows how to make the day to day leadership decisions that constitute a well run government. Additionally, he has the experience in making decisions of national and international importance that will benefit Rhode Island in the global economy.

Since December of 2006, Chafee has served as a distinguished visiting fellow, at the Thomas J. Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University. In the summer of 2007, Chafee officially left the Republican Party, becoming an Independent charging that the Republican Party was becoming increasingly more polarizing, citing spending cuts in programs that disproportionately affected low and middle income families.

For Immediate Release
Contact(s):
James V. DeRentis
(401) 529-2188
jim@jimderentis.com

Lincoln Chafee has forged a path of independence and he is now prepared, with your support, to bring his unquestioned integrity, proven record of working together for the common good, and ability to represent our state at the highest levels of business and government to the Governor's Office.