We need a Governor who can combine real world experience and new ideas with the integrity and balance to lead Rhode Island to a New Way Forward, said Chafee. Thats why today I am announcing my candidacy for Governor.
In announcing as an independent candidate Chafee said, We have to change the way business and politics work in Rhode Island. Our state has a long tradition of independence, tolerance and a deep commitment to equality. He continued, I believe that running as an independent will free me from the constraints that party politics impose on candidates. This freedom will allow me to bring in the best people from both major parties and people without political ties to solve our problems. The standard for government service in these trying times must be what you can do for your state, not who you know in politics.
Chafee cited three keys to dealing with Rhode Islands budget woes: (1) controlling government spending and being more efficient; (2) pledging to be a champion of the property taxpayer; and (3) generating new state revenue from economic growth in the long term and expanding our sales tax base for the short term.
We need a Governor with a proven record of bringing people together to work for the common good, said Chafee. And we need a Governor who has unquestioned integrity, and can represent our state at the highest levels of business and government.
Chafee, 56, served as Mayor of Warwick from 1993-1999 and as United States Senator from 1999-2007. Prior to that he was a delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention and a two-term member of the Warwick City Council. For the past two years he has been a distinguished visiting fellow at Brown Universitys Watson Institute for International Studies.
Chafee and his wife Stephanie have three children: Louisa, Caleb and Thea. The family resides in Exeter.