PROVIDENCE -- This afternoon around 30 Republican candidates gathered on the marble staircase in the State House rotunda to pose for a group photo. A photographer was standing at the ready.

But before the photo was snapped, Governor Carcieri's communications director John Robitaille -- who appeared to be coordinating the event -- decided that it might not be appropriate to host an election-related event inside the State House.

A photo was not taken inside.

And the group -- which included sitting Republican lawmakers like Nick Gorham and Bob Watson, in addition to newcomers like Ericka J. Atwell, a 22-year-old Rhode Island College student and John A. Pagliarini Jr., a Republican lawyer who sits on the state properties commission -- was told to move outside to the State House's front stairs overlooking the city.

"I don't want to take any chances," Robitaille said, referring to hosting an election-related event where state business is conducted. "We want to avoid any controversy."

A security guard was called over to unlock the doors that lead to the outdoor staircase. Robitaille said there were no plans for an indoor reception following the photo.

- Steve Peoples, of the Journal State House bureau