Providence Journal file photo
Governor Chafee was joined by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin in 2011 at the R.I. State House. Shumlin came to Rhode Island to lend his support to the same-sex marriage drive in the state.
BOSTON (AP) -- The head of the Democratic Governors Association is encouraging Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, to become a Democrat.
DGA Chairman Gov. Peter Shumlin, of Vermont, this week described Chafee as "a very thoughtful person" with strong ties to Democratic governors and President Barack Obama. Shumlin told The Associated Press, "We would welcome him to the Democratic Party."
Chafee says he's considering the switch, but offered no timeline for a decision when asked this week. He's facing his first reelection test in 20 months. Chafee won his first term in 2010 with 36 percent of the vote.
Shumlin, as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, becomes the most prominent national voice to encourage Chafee to become a Democrat.