Former RI Gov. Lincoln Chafee To Run For President As Libertarian

NEWPORT, RI — Former Rhode Island governor and U.S. senator Lincoln Chafee appears set for another presidential run. This time, Chafee, who ran as a Democrat in the 2016 race, is fundraising as a Libertarian as an anti-war and fiscal-restraint candidate.

Chafee, who now lives in Wyoming, has launched a fundraising website where he uses the slogans "Lincoln Leads With The Truth" and "No more wars. No more reckless spending." Chafee also touts what he says were 30 years in public office as a mayor of Warwick, senator and governor with no scandals.

The Associated Press also reported Monday that Chafee has registered the "Lincoln Chafee For President" campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission.

Chafee's 2016 bid failed to make a dent in the race where media coverage centered around Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. He raised about $11,000 before suspending his bid in October 2015 during a speech at the 22nd Annual National Issues Conference of the Women's Leadership Forum in which he advocated "prosperity through peace."

He said at the time he would dedicate his energy to help elect a Democrat in the 2016 race, But last year Chafee, who served one term as governor after representing Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate from 1999 to 2007, announced he was joining the Libertarian party upon moving to Wyoming.

His campaign filing lists Teton Village, Wyoming as his hometown.