Support Grows for McKay as State GOP Chair
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
He hasn’t announced he’s running yet, but already several key party leaders are warming to the idea of Ken McKay, the former campaign manager for Gov. Don Carcieri, serving as chairman of the state GOP.
Several key Republican leaders yesterday told GoLocalProv that they thought McKay would be a good fit for the position. Former Attorney General candidate Erik Wallin, who announced he was not running for chairman last week, said he thought McKay “would make a fine chair.” If he actually runs Wallin said he would support him.
“He has a tremendous resume … and experience,” Wallin said.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMcKay managed Carcieri’s successful runs for governor in 2002 and 2006 and later went on to serve as the chief of staff for RNC Chairman Michael Steele. He resigned earlier this year amid a scandal over RNC staffers spending $2,000 at a controversial California strip club. Most recently, McKay was a consultant for Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott, who won his race.
McKay a ‘very strong frontrunner’
“I think McKay could be a great, great asset to the state party for the simple fact that he brings tremendous background to the job of state chair,” Joe Trillo, a Republican state rep from Warwick and the GOP national committeeman for Rhode Island. “Right now, I’m seeing him as a very strong frontrunner for this seat.”
McKay has yet to make public his intentions. His name was first circulated as a possible candidate by Giovanni Cicione, who said he heard someone in the party suggest the idea. “When I heard his name being discussed I gave him a call and encouraged him to seriously consider it,” Cicione said.
Cicione has previously said he would not run if another qualified candidate stepped forward.
Patrick Sweeney, a board member of the Rhode Island Young Republicans, has also announced he is running for state chair. “I think he’s an excellent candidate,” Trillo said. “But when you look at the credentials of Ken McKay—he just came back from winning the governor’s race in Florida.”
Several attempts to reach McKay for comment were unsuccessful.
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