In his first run for office since losing reelection to the US Senate in 2006, former Republican Lincoln Chafee has announced that he will run for governor of Rhode Island. He was also mayor of Warwick, Rhode Island in the 1990s. In his announcement, he stressed partially ending Rhode Island’s large list of exemptions to the sales tax in order to close a budget gap. The estimated cost of his campaign is “$2 million to $3 million.”
The video below from a local news station has more information on this.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Trent Hill // Jan 6, 2010 at 2:34 am
Im calling this one for Chafee.
I think Massachussetts could goto Cahill too.
2 James W. Clifton // Jan 6, 2010 at 11:00 am
2010 will be the Year of the Independents.
3 d.eris // Jan 6, 2010 at 11:11 am
There are a number of good indy candidates for governor in Maine too.
4 Peter Gemma // Jan 6, 2010 at 1:55 pm
The Providence Journal reports on the tax INCREASE Chafee outlined when announcing his candidacy for governor (now there’s a novel way to frame a campaign):
“WARWICK — In a high-risk political move, former Republican U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee coupled his official announcement that he is running as an independent for governor — a job his father, the late John H. Chafee, held in the 1960s — with a potential $89-million tax-raising proposal. Right out of the gate, he said state leaders should ‘carefully examine’ the possibility of adopting a new two-tiered sales tax in which some items that are currently exempt from taxation — such as food, clothing and over-the-counter drugs — would be taxed at a reduced new rate to help close the persistent gap between state revenues and spending.”
I thought Chafee would run slightly to the right of the liberal Democratic nominee and would try to represent the centrist alternative – the more I know about politics/politicians the more i realize how little I know.
Chafee is the one to beat in the race however. Not as personable as his dad, the family name is gold.
d.eris: who’s credible in maine?
5 Solomon Drek // Jan 6, 2010 at 3:50 pm
If he can raise some money he wins. He doesn’t need to raise as much because his name recognition alone is worth about a million dollars worth of advertising.
6 Jake // Jan 6, 2010 at 11:14 pm
I do not know much about the Rhode Island media or runs it? What I mean is the NJ media is controlled by NYC and Philly outlets. Rhode Island, I am guessing, is probably an easier state to campaign in.
He has the experience working for him, some definite name recognition, and lastly a smaller/easier state to campaign in. I would agree if he raises between 2-3 million that a win could be possible.
Lastly, I agree 2010 is a big year for the indys, but 2012 will be a bigger year for the 3rd parties.
7 Peter Gemma // Jan 7, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Chafee can fund his own campaign. Most media is RI based and affordable, but big time money can also be spent in Boston-based media. No need for that in this contest.
8 Patience Peck // May 8, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I would like to work on the committee supporting Lincoln Chafee for governor.
Leave a Comment