Chafee Achieves Historic Win
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Lincoln Chafee not only pulled out a strong victory in a race that was hotly contested down to the wire—he also became the first independent elected governor in state history.
“Rhode Island is making history tonight,” Chafee told supporters at the Sheraton Providence Airport hotel last night. “Rhode Island has elected its first independent governor. ... Roger Williams would be proud.”
Chafee took first place with 36.1 percent of the vote. Republican John Robitaille came in a close second at 33.6 percent while Democrat Frank Caprio was a somewhat distant third at 23 percent. Moderate Party candidate Ken Block rounded out the pack with 6.5 percent—above the necessary 5 percent threshold in order for the party he founded to maintain its official status with the state.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I’m very grateful to all the Rhode Island people who have given me their vote and I give you my word, I will always be honest with you. I will always do what is right for Rhode Island,” Chafee said. “Rhode Island’s best days are still ahead of us and tonight we begin that journey to a better future.”
The results reflected a series of polls last week that showed Frank Caprio had slipped in the polls while Republican John Robitaille was benefiting from an 11th-hour surge. Chafee’s support meanwhile had held steady.
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