Chafee will face challenges in 2006 re-election effort
Race to represent R.I. in Senate unofficially begins
Christopher Barrett
Issue date: 3/3/05 Section: News
03/03/05 - Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee has come under fire from both sides of the aisle as the 2006 race for his seat draws closer.
He has been scrutinized by Republicans for siding with Democrats on many issues such as tax cuts and the use of military force in Iraq during 2002. Democrats have targeted his seat as part of their strategy to regain the majority in the Senate.
However, representatives for Chafee say he disregards partisan politics, and votes on behalf of Rhode Islanders, not the Republicans or Democrats.
"Most people in Rhode Island understand he represents the people in Rhode Island and not a political party," Stephen Hourahan, press secretary for Chafee, said. "He votes in line with the majority of Rhode Island."
Now that Chafee has officially declared his intent to seek re-election in 2006, he faces challenges from both inside and outside his party.
"Basically the Senator is prepared to run," Hourahan said. "We're geared up for whomever [opposes Chafee]."
Hourahan is confident Chafee will successfully secure a second term.
"[Chafee] is the only Republican [in Rhode Island] that is going to be elected to the U.S. Senate," he said. "We're very, very comfortable the people of Rhode Island are again going to vote him in."
Hourahan dismissed possible challenges from Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey, a Republican, or R.I. Secretary of State Matt Brown, a Democrat.
Regarding a challenge from Brown, Hourahan said, "Good for him but if you look at the numbers in the polls no one knows who he is."
"There is no reason to believe Mayor Laffey will be the candidate ... I think that's a lot of speculation," Hourahan said. He also questioned whether Laffey "can raise the money and get out there and compete with the Senator."
Laffey's office would neither confirm nor deny that Laffey will challenge Chafee.
"Currently he's got some pretty big fish to fry here in Cranston," Cranston Deputy Director of Administration Robin Muksian-Schutt said.
He has been scrutinized by Republicans for siding with Democrats on many issues such as tax cuts and the use of military force in Iraq during 2002. Democrats have targeted his seat as part of their strategy to regain the majority in the Senate.
However, representatives for Chafee say he disregards partisan politics, and votes on behalf of Rhode Islanders, not the Republicans or Democrats.
"Most people in Rhode Island understand he represents the people in Rhode Island and not a political party," Stephen Hourahan, press secretary for Chafee, said. "He votes in line with the majority of Rhode Island."
Now that Chafee has officially declared his intent to seek re-election in 2006, he faces challenges from both inside and outside his party.
"Basically the Senator is prepared to run," Hourahan said. "We're geared up for whomever [opposes Chafee]."
Hourahan is confident Chafee will successfully secure a second term.
"[Chafee] is the only Republican [in Rhode Island] that is going to be elected to the U.S. Senate," he said. "We're very, very comfortable the people of Rhode Island are again going to vote him in."
Hourahan dismissed possible challenges from Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey, a Republican, or R.I. Secretary of State Matt Brown, a Democrat.
Regarding a challenge from Brown, Hourahan said, "Good for him but if you look at the numbers in the polls no one knows who he is."
"There is no reason to believe Mayor Laffey will be the candidate ... I think that's a lot of speculation," Hourahan said. He also questioned whether Laffey "can raise the money and get out there and compete with the Senator."
Laffey's office would neither confirm nor deny that Laffey will challenge Chafee.
"Currently he's got some pretty big fish to fry here in Cranston," Cranston Deputy Director of Administration Robin Muksian-Schutt said.
