RI GOP Committeeman and GA Candidate Frias Refuses to Comment on Trump
Saturday, July 09, 2016
Rhode Island General Assembly candidate and GOP National Committeeman Steve Frias is continuing to refuse comment on presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump, with the national convention just a week from Monday.
"If you want to quote me, you can say Steve Frias is focused on the race for the State House and not the White House," Frias told GoLocalProv.com on Friday, despite being a governing member of the political committee of the country's Grand Old Party.
On Friday, Frias refused to answer what he thought about Trump or if Trump was the best candidate for the party.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFrias refused to answer what he agreed with Trump on, and which positions he disagreed on with the national party's leading Presidential candidate.
"I will support the GOP nominee," said Frias, who said he expects it will be...Trump.
No Comment as Committeeman
Frias, who was elected Republican National Committeeman from Rhode Island in 2012, announced his intention in June to run for District 15 in the Rhode Island House -- which is current House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello's district in Cranston.
The National Committee provides national leadership for the Republican Party in the country - it is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is also responsible for organizing and running the Republican National Convention. There is one Committeeman and one Committeewoman for each state.
Frias outlined a number of his positions at his campaign launch -- but despite being Rhode Island's national committeeman, had nothing to say about the party's new standard bearer when asked on Friday.
"I'll be in Cleveland for four days," said Frias of the upcoming COP convention. "It won't be an issue with my campaign. I've knocked on 500 doors so far, and I'm planning on getting to walk my entire district. I'd say I'm 1/8 to 1/10 of my way there."
Frias is Former Scott Walker Supporter
Frias had previously publicly supported Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's eyeing the White House -- as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in January 2015.
“He’s kind of folksy and laid back, which is very appealing to a lot of Midwestern Republicans,” said Frias of Walker at the time. “You can deliver a great speech, but what Republicans want right now are people with some courage, some principles and people who have gotten results.”
Walker dropped out of the race in September 2015; he "begrudgingly" endorsed Trump this week -- according to The Week.
Frias' GOP primary opponent Shawna Lawton -- who is not a party player on the national stage -- removed herself as well from the national presidential discussion.
"I am running for the House of Representatives in Rhode Island. Not for president. I want to keep people focused on the fact that I am here to represent their district in the state of Rhode Island," said Lawton on Friday.
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