Projo Politics Blog

Another Smith Hill player has joined what will likely be the overshadowed state race in 2010.

Sen. John J. Tassoni, Jr., told us earlier in the week that he plans to run for lieutenant governor, as long as the woman who currently occupies that seat, Elizabeth Roberts, runs for governor, as is widely expected.

"I'm going to wait for the lieutenant governor to tell me what she's doing, then I will make a formal announcement," he said. "If she does not run, I wouldn't run against her. But I would be back in 2014."

Last week, East Providence Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan became the first to announce her interest in the position, if it becomes vacant.

Tassoni continued: "I've spoken to her staff. They have assured me that I would be one of the first few phone calls knowing what my intentions are when she decides what her road is going to be."

Tassoni, 50, is known for being outspoken on labor union issues. For his day job, the Smithfield Democrat works as a business agent for Rhode Island's largest state employees union, Council 94, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

But he says that his union background is not a negative.

"I worked for Amica Insurance for 10 years. I worked for private business. I went into the union. I'm well rounded," he said.

We also asked why he'd run for a position that is often dismissed as a "do-nothing job."

"That's not me," he said. "I'm a worker. I'm a doer. And you won't find John Tassoni sitting behind a desk with a do-nothing job."

 Tags  Rhode Island lieutenant governor candidates

Comments

Jake51 said:

Roberts will run for reelection, and will announce her plans before Chafee formerly enters the Governor's race. She knows that she cannot win a crowded Democratic primary and then a General Election against Chafee just 8 weeks later.

Link | March 12, 2009 3:11 PM
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