By Cynthia Needham
Journal State House Bureau

Providence businessman Rory Smith says he's considering a run for Rhode Island governor in 2010 as a Republican.

"People have approached me about it and I'm certainly thinking about it, but I have not made any decisions yet," Smith said in a brief interview Wednesday afternoon.

The East Greenwich resident and self-described "outsider" said he has not set a deadline to make that decision and declined to discuss his potential candidacy in any detail.

Smith is a special limited partner at Nautic Partners LLC, a Providence investment firm. He has never before run for public office.

His comments confirm a widely circulated rumor in Rhode Island political circles. Last week, state GOP Chairman Giovanni Cicione confirmed that he was trying to recruit Smith to run. "I think he'd be a great candidate, but it's an open field at this point," Cicione said.

In late September, Smith switched his party affiliation from independent to Republican, according to the East Greenwich Board of Canvassers.