Caprio launching ads for gov. campaign

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island's general treasurer, Frank Caprio, is launching a campaign for the governor's office in the 2010 election with radio, TV and Internet ads.

While the launch is a few months earlier than some may have expected, the ads are more of a preview to an official event in the first quarter of next year.

"We're running for governor," said Caprio in an interview with Eyewitness News Tuesday afternoon. "We're looking forward to a competitive race over the next twelve months. Obviously, I'd like to get all Rhode Islanders involved in the campaign, and that's what the first step is about... asking for the best ideas from Rhode Islanders to turn this economy around."

The campaign has budgeted $100,000 to run ads each month from now until the 2010 election. Caprio, 41, already leads his top opponents in the money race. Back in September, he reported $1.5 million in campaign funds, which is close to three times more than Attorney General Patrick Lynch, and far exceeding the campaign warchest of former Sen. Lincoln Chafee.

Caprio's focus will be on helping small business, rather than "one big company at a time." If every small business in the state hired one more employee, Caprio posited, the state's 13% unemployment would be cut in half.

"State government is too adversarial with the small business owner," he said. "It makes life very difficult for the small business owner, whether it's getting permits, or paying taxes... We need government to be an advocate."