Projo Politics Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Secretary of State Ralph Mollis' communications director Adam Bozzi is broadening his horizons. Literally.

The 28-year-old North Providence native, who moved to the Mollis camp after his old boss, Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, narrowly lost his gubernatorial bid in November, is heading to Kentucky.

Bozzi leaves Tuesday on a flight to the Bluegrass State to work for gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Lunsford, who is among seven candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Should Lunsford survive the primary, he'll likely face Republican incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher later this year.

Bozzi acknowledged today that he's never been to Kentucky. He said he'll be based at the Louisville office of Lunsford, a wealthy businessman.

Bozzi didn't cite any of Mollis' recent problems as reasons for leaving town. Three of Mollis children have had brushes with the law since his election. One of them has been charged with attempted murder.

Bozzi said of the Kentucky job: “It just seemed like something I couldn’t turn down,” referring to it as "an adventure."

"It’s a good-sized state, it’s a high-profile race, and there’s a lot of candidates," he said. "It should be something fun to be part of."

Bozzi said he plans to return to Rhode Island briefly to help Mollis after spending the next week or so in Kentucky. Mollis has yet to find a replacement for the $61,000-a-year position, Bozzi said.

Bozzi's first big test will be May 22, the day of the Kentucky primary. And it's clear that he may have some fires to put out for his new boss as well.

The Cincinnati Inquirer published a story today about how Lunsford actually endorsed the incumbent Republican governor during the last election.

Bozzi was already on message when interviewed today.

"Yes, he endorsed Fletcher in the 2003 race," Bozzi said. "He's sorry he did it."

-- projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples

---