PROVIDENCE – Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee today announced “an exploratory campaign” for Rhode Island’s 2010 gubernatorial race and named former Bank Rhode Island executive James V. DeRentis to manage the effort.
Chafee has served as a distinguished visiting fellow at Brown University’s Thomas J. Watson Institute for International Studies since December 2006. (READ MORE)
He previously served for seven years in the Senate – appointed in 1999 to the seat vacated by the death of his father, John H. Chafee, and elected to the same seat a year later – and before that had served for six years as a Warwick city councilor, followed by seven years as mayor. (READ MORE)
Those positions have given him “experience in making decisions of national and international importance that will benefit Rhode Island in the global economy,” as well knowledge of “how to make the day-to-day leadership decisions that constitute a well run government,” he said.
“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 added in a statement today.
A moderate Republican for many years, he left the party in mid-2007, changing his affiliation to “independent.” His most recent campaign was his Senate re-election bid in 2006, when he ran against Democrat Sheldon A. Whitehouse. (READ MORE) He plans to run as an independent in the upcoming race for the governor’s seat.
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“We are at a pivotal moment in our state’s history, and I am excited to establish a team that will help create a platform to help elect a candidate who has the proven experience and leadership ability to unite Rhode Islanders,” said DeRentis, whose resignation last month as BankRI’s executive vice president and chief business officer took effect on Friday. (READ MORE)
“I firmly believe that Linc Chafee has demonstrated the kind of bold leadership and inclusive decision-making that makes him a different kind of candidate,” he added. DeRentis’ duties, as manager of the 2010 Chafee for Governor effort, will include fundraising, the building of an advisory team and the planning of a potential campaign structure.
“Jim brings with him more than 25 years of experience from the Rhode Island business, civic and nonprofit communities,” Chafee said, adding: “I look forward to working with him in the coming months to explore a campaign team that will be truly representative of the interests and concerns both felt and shared by Rhode Islanders.”
For additional information about the 2010 Chafee for Governor “exploratory campaign,” visit www.ChafeeForGovernor.com.
