Rhode Island governor will switch parties, run for re-election as Democrat

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) will switch to the Democratic party as he seeks a second term in 2014, Politico reported on Wednesday.

Chafee was elected to his current position in 2010 as an independent after leaving the Republican party, and campaigned on behalf of President Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012. He succeeded his father, longtime Republican Sen. John Chafee (R-RI) as a lawmaker in 1999 after the elder Chafee's death.

The Washington Post reported that the Democratic Governors Association will not endorse the winner of the party primary in Rhode Island, where Chafee is likely to be challenged by state treasurer Gina Raimondo and Angel Taveras, mayor of Providence.

According to the Post, Chafee is expected to formally announce his party switch this week.