Providence Journal / Frieda Squires
Governor Lincoln Chafee arrives in Galilee after spending Wednesday on Block Island.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A spokeswoman for Governor Chafee has confirmed that Republican-turned-Independent Chafee will switch his political party once again and become a Democrat on Thursday.
Chafee will officially announce his switch from "unaffiliated'' to Democrat at Warwick City Hall, after filling out the paperwork, according to spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger.
The move is not unexpected for Chafee, who spoke at the National Democratic Convention. Asked his reasons, Hunsinger said: "a recognition that the Democratic party and he are aligned on policies and principles,'' and that there is "strength in numbers when it comes to fighting for Rhode Island taxpayers.''
Chafee was a Republican councilman and mayor of Warwick and U.S. Senator. He shed his party affiliation after losing his 2006 bid for re-election to the Senate. He was elected governor as an independent in 2010.