Independent Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is joining the Democratic Party ahead of his bid for a second term, two Democratic officials said Wednesday, confirming a move that Chafee has been talking about for months.
Chafee served in the U.S. Senate as a Republican but left the GOP in 2007. He was elected as the nation’s only independent governor in 2010.
The officials said Chafee plans to change his registration to join the party. They weren’t authorized to disclose the information publicly ahead of any announcement from Chafee and spoke on condition of anonymity. Chafee’s staff did not immediately confirm his plan.
Chafee has been saying for months that he was thinking about the switch, noting that he shares many positions with Democrats and that joining the party will help with fundraising. He is a supporter of President Barack Obama and spoke at last year’s Democratic National Convention. . .