The Providence Journal reports that Lincoln Chafee will officially announce his candidacy for governor of Rhode Island as an Independent next week. The report goes out of its way to emphasize that Chafee “lags behind” Democratic rivals in fundraising, but fails to note that he has nonetheless been leading them in polls. An example of the media’s duopolist bias, or simple journalistic oversight?
Former U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee will make it official on Monday, Jan. 4, that he is running for governor. A statement issued by his campaign on Monday said: “Over the last 25 years, while serving in leadership positions at the local and national level, Lincoln Chafee has forged a path of independence. In his campaign to become Governor of Rhode Island, he aims to bring his unquestioned integrity, proven record of bringing people together, and positive vision to the State House, charting a New Way Forward for Rhode Island.”
. . .
Though he trails the big-name incumbent Democratic candidates in fundraising, Chafee said he is confident he will be “competitive” once he gets his fundraising operation in full gear.
His official announcement has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Iron Works Tavern, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Warwick.
The Republican turned independent Chafee formed an exploratory committee for a potential run for governor in April 2009. In the intervening months, he has lagged behind his potential competitors in fundraising, but said that alone would not deter him from the race. [Emphasis added.]
4 responses so far ↓
1 Vaughn // Dec 29, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Any chance the Moderate Party would endorse him? I mean, he is one.
2 Mike Indiana // Dec 29, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Even if the Moderate Party were to nominate Lincoln Chafee, he would probably turn the nomination down. Ballot Access in R.I. is comparatively not that dificult and The Moderate Party has little to offer Chafee. While on the flip side of this the Moderate Party would gain emencely from Chafee running on there ballot line.
3 Trent Hill // Dec 30, 2009 at 11:15 am
Mike,
Im not so sure. The Moderate Party clearly has money and a base of support. They also have an executive director. It is helpful for a campaign to have party backing–especially if that party can mobilize voters, activists, money, and hire staff. However, Chafee likely has much more support all on his own.
4 paulie // Dec 30, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Asked Ken Block about this at one of the turn-ins for signatures, since we were being asked in the field.
He said they had no plans to run Chaffee.
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