PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Republican state Rep. Victor Moffitt has moved up the date of his official announcement of his candidacy for governor.

A tax accountant who had initially planned to wait until April 15, Moffitt has decided instead to make his announcement at 10 a.m., on April 1 at his Coventry office.

He already has a campaign slogan: "Elect MOFFITT....Rhode Island will PROFIT.''

Moffitt's candidacy sets the stage for a Republican primary contest between the lawmaker and John Robitaille, who until recently was communications director for Governor Carcieri, who is barred by term limits from running for reelection.