Chafee announces run for governor

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - With family members standing beside him, former Senator Lincoln Chafee officially announced his candidacy for the Rhode Island governor's race Monday morning.

The former Republican senator turned independent made the announcement around 10 a.m. at the Iron Works Tavern at the Hilton Garden Inn in Warwick.

Chafee, the former mayor of Warwick, lost his Senate seat in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse after a tough Republican primary against former Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey. Chafee has since left the Republican party.

"The big issue for me was the national agenda of the Republican party," Chafee said when asked about his switch during a live interview on Eyewitness News at Noon. "I saw them abandon one of the core principles that I believe in and that's fiscal responsibility. The huge tax cuts at the same time they went on unprecedented spending. That's not my kind of Republican."

Chafee also cited his differing views on the wars overseas and the environment for his change in affiliation.

When asked if his lack of a political party would make fundraising tough, Chafee said he was confident he would raise enough to be competitive. Though he wouldn't give a dollar amount, he said Gov. Donald Carcieri and former Lt. Gov. Charlie Fogarty spent $2 million each during their 2006 campaigns.

During Monday's announcement Chafee talked about a possible two-tiered tax system; one rate for what is taxed now, and a levy in 9 billion dollars in untaxed products. In response to the tax change, Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Patrick Lynch issued the following statement.

“Senator Chafee’s proposal to change the current sales tax to a two-tiered tax on items including food and clothing is wrongheaded at best. This proposal will only add to the tax burden of the people who need help the most in these difficult times. At a time when people are already struggling to decide if they can afford groceries or medicine, Senator Chafee wants to tax them both and make it more expensive for Rhode Island’s families.

We need proposals that will create jobs and strengthen the economy. Unfortunately, this proposal will disproportionately hurt working families and deepen the recession in Rhode Island. Balancing the budget on the backs of the middle class may be appealing to Washington insiders like Senator Chafee, but it is not good policy for working Rhode Islanders.”

Whatever happens, Chafee said his family has been very supportive of him.

"We all know we can do better and they're saying step forward with your ideas and your energy to get this state going," he said.

Democrats vying to succeed Gov Donald Carcieri include Attorney General Patrick Lynch and General Treasurer Frank Caprio. They will face off in a Democratic primary.

The state GOP is still looking for a candidate after businessman Rory Smith dropped out of the race last month. Republican leaders are reportedly courting former Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey to run, though he had previously said he would not enter the race.

Carcieri is barred by term limits from seeking a third term in office.