Rhode Island Governor Switches Political Parties

Rhode Island independent Governor Lincoln Chafee plans to become a Democrat. Chafee, a former Republican senator, announced the switch as he faces a tough re-election race next year.

He is the son of the late John Chafee, a Republican senator for more than 20 years. Lincoln Chafee succeeded his father as a Republican in the Senate but lost a bid for re-election in 2006. He was elected governor of Rhode Island as an independent in 2010.