Aaron Guckian: “I Am Not Getting Out” Of Governor’s Race

Republican gubernatorial nominee Aaron Guckian said Friday that he will remain in the race for governor, ending speculation about whether he would continue his campaign following a closely contested primary and recount.

“I am not getting out of this race,” Guckian said in a statement released Oct. 2.

Guckian said the past several weeks, including the recount and a short transition into the general-election campaign, have been challenging. He said the experience has made him more determined to continue his campaign.

Guckian said he intends to spend the remaining weeks of the campaign making the case that Rhode Island should "think BIG."

Among the issues he highlighted Friday were infrastructure, government spending, housing, healthcare, veterans and workforce development.

Guckian also said he wants to establish a stronger working relationship between Rhode Island and Washington, including seeking federal infrastructure funding.

“President Trump is in the White House,” Guckian said. “I want Rhode Island to have a governor who can pick up the phone, work with this administration and fight for every federal dollar we can get to fix our roads and bridges.”

He also reiterated his Rhode Island Works Smarter proposal, which he says would involve frontline state employees and union workers in identifying government waste and improving efficiency.

Guckian said any savings identified through the initiative could be used to reduce taxes and fees and reinvest in the state.

Another proposal highlighted in the statement is Patriots Village, which Guckian described as an effort to bring housing, healthcare, job training and employment resources together for veterans and other Rhode Islanders.

He also pointed to nurses, teachers and workers in the trades as groups he believes need greater support as the cost of living continues to affect whether workers can afford to remain in Rhode Island.

“I intend to earn it every single day between now and November 3,” Guckian said of the support he has received during the campaign.

Guckian said he will also appear on NewsNation's weekend national broadcast Saturday morning at 8 a.m., according to his campaign.

For Guckian, Friday's statement was intended to settle one question that had surrounded his campaign in recent weeks.

The Rhode Island general election is Nov. 3.