With roughly $230,000 in a growing campaign account, John Loughlin may be the state Republican Party's best hope for a major upset in November.

Loughlin doesn't appear to have much faith in the state Republican Party, however.

"I've always believed that the way you win as a Republican or independent in a Democratic state is you build a strong organization around a candidacy that can win, and that's what we've been 100 percent focused on," said Loughlin, who will challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Patrick Kennedy. "The Rhode Island Republican Party is the Rhode Island Republican Party. And they're going to do what they're going to do."

We asked him to weigh in on last week's non-binding vote by nearly 100 GOP faithful to dismiss party chairman Giovanni Cicione.

"Honestly, I've been so focused on building my organization, and going to living rooms, and running a race, that I haven't paid attention to what they're doing at all," he told Political Scene, noting that he supports Cicione's leadership.

"As far as I can see, the way this works is the head of the party is the governor. If he still has the governor's confidence, then he should continue on."

-- Steve Peoples