Well this seems like as good a time as any to post again! So Governor Linc has decided he wants to be a Democrat. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been telling anyone that would listen that this HAD to happen. Otherwise, he was likely to get steamrolled this time. The play here is clearly to either completely clear the Democratic primary field or at least thin it down a bit. The question I always had when people would hem and haw at my switch suggestion was that could the state’s Democratic party not back an incumbent member of their own party? Don’t they sort of have to back the incumbent looking for re-election? Additionally, this helps Chafee to pull in even more national money and possibly use the President’s resources even more. Now if Chafee needs a closer to get a donor to sign a big check for him, the President can make a call and ask for help for his Democrat friend. It’s now more likely the donation comes through.

Multiple people are also assuming there’s a deal somewhere within the party. These sorts of moves don’t happen without lots of discussion and only with getting a better idea of others’ intentions. We’ve all widely believed that both Angel Taveras and Gina Raimondo had/have interest in running for Governor next year. Those are the two that Chafee would love to clear out. But does either one stay out of the race with Chafee becoming a Democrat? In my opinion, yes, and it’s at least Taveras. My thinking here would be that Taveras still has some unfinished business in Providence, about four years worth. He stays around in the city furthering the cleanup of Cicilline’s mess and then becomes the Democrat’s heir apparent. The assumption in Democratic headquarters could be that Chafee wins re-election as a Democrat, then he’s term-limited and in 2018 is when Angel Taveras can run with a clear path to the Democratic nomination and possibly the Governor’s office, along with Chafee’s rolodex of national donors and friends.

So what about Raimondo? Maybe she stays in too to challenge Chafee, leaving quite the primary season. Or, what if the Democrats know something we don’t about one of our Washington contingent not running for re-election?