By Dee DeQuattro, WPRO News
Governor Chafee said he feels comfortable among Democrats and would consider becoming a Democrat when he runs for re-election.
Chafee said similar questions regarding the potential of him affiliating as a Democrat came up when he spoke at the Democratic convention. “I always look at my options. Certainly after being at the convention I felt a comfort being around like minded environmentalist and pro-choice and what I spoke about at the convention personal liberties and caring about the environment and also looking to build a middle class there was a comfort level there,” said Chafee.
Chafee did not answer yes or no when asked if he would definitely seek re-election but noted he is out “raising money.”
Former political rival in the 2006 Senate race, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said he thinks Chafee would fit in in the Democratic Party. “The political positions that he has taken have been very often been aligned with the Democratic Party. Certainly the rightward move of the Republican Party off into Tea Party country has left a lot of people high and dry,” said Whitehouse. Whitehouse ousted incumbent Senator Lincoln Chafee, then a Republican in 2006.
Chafee affiliated as an independent before running for governor in 2010. He is currently the only Independent governor in the nation.
