Lincoln Chafee#Stem cell research

Lincoln Davenport Chafee was born on March 26, 1953, in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of Virginia (née Coates) and John Chafee.{{Cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/chafee.htm |title=Chafee family tree |website=Rootsweb.com |access-date=July 3, 2008}} Chafee's great-great-grandfather Henry Lippitt was Governor of Rhode Island. Among his great-great-uncles are Rhode Island Governor Charles Warren Lippitt and United States Senator Henry Frederick Lippitt. His great-uncle Zechariah Chafee was a Harvard law professor and a notable civil libertarian. The Chafee family was among the earliest settlers of Hingham, Massachusetts, before moving south to Rhode Island.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/chaffeegenealog00chafgoog |title=The Chaffee Genealogy, William Henry Chaffee, 1635–1909, The Grafton Press, New York, 1909 |date=September 2, 2000 |publisher=Grafton Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/chaffeegenealog00chafgoog/page/n31 4] |quote=daniel cushing hingham clerk. |access-date=November 3, 2010 |via=Internet Archive}}

He attended public schools in Warwick, Rhode Island, Providence Country Day School, as well as later, Phillips Academy. At Brown University, Chafee captained the wrestling team, and in 1975 earned a Bachelor of Arts in classics. He then attended Montana State University's non-degree Farrier School (a sixteen-week horseshoeing program) in Bozeman. For the next seven years, he worked as a farrier at harness racetracks in the United States and Canada. One of the horses he shod, Overburden, set the track record at Northlands Park in Edmonton.{{Cite magazine |last=Michael Crowley |date=July 2, 2001 |title=Missing Linc |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/politics/90421/missing-linc |magazine=The New Republic}} In describing how his time as a farrier affected him, Chafee stated that "when you're around horses, you tend to be a quieter person."{{Cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/10/lincoln-chafee-2016/412141/ |title=Why Did Lincoln Chafee Even Bother to Run? |last=Ball |first=Molly |date=October 23, 2015 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |access-date=October 26, 2015}}

Chafee entered politics in 1985, when he was elected over eight other candidates to become delegate to the Rhode Island Constitutional Convention. A year later, he was elected to the Warwick City Council, defeating an incumbent, and re-elected in 1988. He ran for Warwick Mayor in 1990, losing by 5 percent in a three-way race.

In 1992, he was elected Warwick's first Republican mayor in 32 years, and was re-elected in 1994, 1996, and 1998, when he won by 17% and carried all nine wards.

Chafee was praised for his fair-minded and sensible approach to government, including his ability to work with seven Democrats (of nine seats) on the Warwick City Council. He conservatively managed the city's finances, strengthening the city's bond rating and paying down the outstanding pension liability.

He worked effectively and cooperatively with the municipal unions, especially in settling a difficult and prolonged teacher labor dispute that he inherited from the previous administration.{{Cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2010/oct/14/frank-caprio/caprio-says-chafee-gave-warwick-teachers-19-percen/ |title=Caprio says Chafee gave Warwick teachers a 19-percent raise |last=Emery |first=C. Eugene Jr. |website=Politifact Rhode Island |access-date=October 26, 2015}}

As mayor, Chafee made conservation, environmental protection, and wise growth a priority. He purchased 130 acres of open space, planted hundreds of street trees, and created new historic districts and a new economic development "intermodal" district at the state airport. His municipal composting and recycling initiatives dramatically decreased landfill waste. His "Greenwich Bay Initiative", which extended sewer service to the most environmentally-sensitive areas of the city, earned Warwick recognition by EPA as one of the best local watershed programs in the nation.{{Cite web |url=http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/RI.cfm |title=Rhode Island |date=February 20, 2015 |website=US EPA}}

{{Main|2000 United States Senate election in Rhode Island}}

After his father announced he would not seek re-election in 2000, Lincoln Chafee announced he would run for the seat.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Shailagh |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/13/AR2006041301917.html |title=A Republican on the Edge |date=April 14, 2006 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=May 7, 2010}} When John Chafee died suddenly in October 1999, Governor Lincoln Almond appointed the younger Chafee to serve out the term.

In the general election he faced the Democratic nominee, then-U.S. Representative Robert Weygand. Chafee won the election 57%–41%.

{{Main|2006 United States Senate election in Rhode Island}}

In September 2005, Steve Laffey, the mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, announced his intention to run against Chafee in the Republican primary election. Among other stances differing from those of Chafee, Mayor Laffey opposed abortion and stem cell research. Laffey was supported by notable conservative groups, including the Club for Growth and several anti-abortion groups. Chafee went on to defeat Laffey in the primary on September 12 by a margin of 53%–47%. The turnout for the Republican primary was the largest in Rhode Island history. In his victory speech, Chafee credited independent voters and disaffiliated Democrats for his victory.{{Cite web |url=http://www.projo.com/extra/election/content/projo_20060913_newgop.37563ed.html |title=Extra: Election |date=September 13, 2006 |website=The Providence Journal |access-date=November 3, 2010}}

Chafee lost to Whitehouse in the general election, 54%–46%. In response to a question at a news conference on November 9, 2006, Chafee stated he was unsure whether he would remain in the Republican Party after serving out the remainder of his term. According to Michelle R. Smith of the Associated Press, when asked whether he felt that his loss may have helped the country by switching control of power in Congress (away from Republicans and toward the Democrats), he replied: "To be honest, yes."{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Michelle |url=http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2606946 |title=Chafee unsure of staying with GOP after losing election |date=November 6, 2006 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 28, 2012}}

Descended from a long line of moderate, center-right New England Republicans, Chafee's stances became increasingly liberal, more so than his father's positions had been. The now dominant conservatives referred to him as a "Republican In Name Only", or RINO. Most notable among these was Human Events magazine, which named Chafee "the No. 1 RINO in the country."{{Cite web |url=http://www.humanevents.com/sarticle.php?id=11129 |title=Human Events |date=December 27, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071213164159/http://www.humanevents.com/sarticle.php?id=11129 |archive-date=December 13, 2007 |access-date=November 3, 2010}} In 2006, the National Journal rated Chafee as the most liberal Republican in the Senate, and placed him to the left of two Democrats, Nebraska's Ben Nelson and Louisiana's Mary Landrieu.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080528042316/http://www.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/pdf/Centrists.pdf The Centrists] National Journal. February 25, 2006. GovTrack also ranked Senator Chafee as the most liberal Republican member in 2006; according to GovTrack's analysis, Chafee was to the left of his Republican colleagues as well as to the left of fourteen Democrats.{{Cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/lincoln_chafee/300020 |title=Lincoln Chafee, former Senator for Rhode Island - GovTrack.us |website=GovTrack.us |language=en |access-date=July 24, 2018}}

Known for often disagreeing with the Republican Party leadership, Chafee says he did not cast his ballot for President George W. Bush in the 2004 election, instead choosing to write in former president George H. W. Bush as a nod to the Republican Party of his father.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ramcigar.com/media/paper366/news/2004/10/05/News/Chafee.Speaks.With.Students.About.Election-741669.shtml |title=The Good 5 Cent Cigar |publisher=Ramcigar.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123040220/http://www.ramcigar.com/media/paper366/news/2004/10/05/News/Chafee.Speaks.With.Students.About.Election-741669.shtml |archive-date=November 23, 2007 |access-date=November 3, 2010}} Chafee frequently criticized the younger Bush's record on the environment, and expressed concern about the 2004 Republican platform and overall philosophical direction of the party. He described the younger Bush's presidency as "an agenda of energizing the far-right-wing base, which is divisive."{{Cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/ussenate/2004-11-03-ri-chaffee_x.htm# |title=Sen. Chafee considers leaving GOP |date=November 3, 2004 |work=USA Today |access-date=May 7, 2010}} Soon thereafter, he rejected Democratic overtures to leave the Republican Party after appeals to him from other Republican senators to remain in their caucus.{{Cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/09/republicans.chafee.ap/ |title=Sen. Lincoln Chafee won't leave GOP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121035252/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/09/republicans.chafee.ap/ |archive-date=November 21, 2004 |publisher=CNN}} Chafee considered challenging George W. Bush for re-nomination in the New Hampshire primary in 2004 on an anti- (Iraq and Afghanistan) war platform. In his autobiography, Against the Tide (2007), he states that "In the fall of 2003, part of me thought it was cowardly to oppose the president on so many issues and then not oppose him head-on as he sought renomination." However, he decided not to run after the capture of Saddam Hussein on December 13, 2003.Lincoln Chafee, Against the Tide (2007), p.119-120

Chafee also voted against both the 2001 and 2003 congressional budget bills that cut and/or rebated individuals' federal income taxes. He asserted that tax cuts reduce revenue to the federal government, thereby worsening the federal budget deficit and increasing the amount of money it has to borrow in order to operate. In 2004, Chafee broke with his party again to oppose the acceleration of the Bush tax cuts. "Four Senate moderates -- John McCain of Arizona, Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine, and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island -- had insisted on attaching a provision that would have applied pay-as-you-go-rules for the next five years."{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/21/us/mutiny-by-4-republicans-over-bush-s-tax-cutting-forces-delay-on-the-budget-vote.html |title=Mutiny by 4 Republicans Over Bush's Tax Cutting Forces Delay on the Budget Vote |work=The New York Times |date=May 21, 2004 |access-date=July 24, 2018 |language=en}}

On November 17, 2005, he voted in favor of reinstating the top federal income tax rate of 39.6% (which last existed under President Bill Clinton in the 1990s) on the highest-income taxpayers.

In 2003, Chafee voted against the Medicare Part D prescription drug expansion. However, Chafee also cast a crucial procedural vote against a Democratic attempt to kill that bill, which failed by only two votes.{{Cite web |url=http://www.projo.com/news/mcharlesbakst/projo_20031202_mcbcol02.116926.html |title=Providence | Local News | M. Charles Bakst |date=December 2, 2003 |publisher=Projo.com |access-date=November 3, 2010}} Chafee also co-sponsored the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, which expanded federal jurisdiction over class-action lawsuits, and voted against a wholesale ban on gifts from employees of lobbying companies.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/SenateVote/Party_2006-080.htm |title=Senate Votes on 2006-080 |date=March 29, 2006 |publisher=Ontheissues.org |access-date=November 3, 2010}}

The Cato Institute's Center for Trade Policy Studies identified Chafee as a "free trader" during his U.S. Senate tenure, indicating a pro-free trade, pro-market, and anti-subsidies voting record.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cato.org/research/trade-immigration/congress?senator=22 |title=Free Trade, Free Markets: Rating the Congress |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=September 7, 2015}}.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cato.org/research/trade-immigration/congress?senator=22 |title=Free Trade, Free Markets: Rating the Congress |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=September 7, 2015}} Chafee has supported free trade agreements (e.g., North American Free Trade Agreement and Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA){{Cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Lincoln_Chafee.htm |title=Lincoln Chafee for Senate: Issues2000.org |date=February 12, 2000 |publisher=Ontheissues.org |access-date=November 3, 2010}} and bankruptcy reform.

As U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, Chafee received grades of D in 2000, C− in 2001, C in 2002, C− in 2003 and 2004, and D in 2005 and 2006 from the National Taxpayers Union, a conservative taxpayers advocacy organization.{{Citation |title=National Taxpayers Union - Lincoln Chafee |url=http://www.ntu.org/state/legislator/lincoln-chafee |publisher=National Taxpayers Union |access-date=September 3, 2015}}

Chafee was one of the few Republicans to vote against allowing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and was a member of the Republicans for Environmental Protection. He has been endorsed throughout his career by the Sierra Club and the League of Conservative Voters as a strong leader for environmental causes, despite criticisms from other progressive activist groups decrying the endorsement of a (then) Republican.{{Cite web |url=http://grist.org/article/little6/ |title=Green groups endorse Republican Lincoln Chafee; activists cry foul |last=Little |first=Amanda |date=April 28, 2006 |website=Grist.org |access-date=October 26, 2015}}

Chafee sponsored the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002, enabling the clean up and redevelopment of thousands of abandoned urban buildings throughout the United States.{{Cite web |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-signing-the-small-business-liability-relief-and-brownfields-revitalization-act |title=Remarks on Signing the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act |date=January 11, 2002}}

Chafee was a member of the Republican Majority for Choice and Republicans for Choice. Chafee was also a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership.

Chafee is pro-choice.[http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Lincoln_Chafee_Abortion.htm Lincoln Chafee on Abortion] OnTheIssues.org In 2003, Chafee was one of the three Republican Senators to oppose the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. His 2006 senatorial re-election bid was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America. He also supported federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

In 2004, Chafee was one of six Republicans to vote against the Federal Marriage Amendment, an amendment intended to ban gay marriage; in 2006, he voted against banning gay marriage a second time.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/14/samesex.marriage/index.html |title=CNN.com - Same-sex marriage Senate battle over, war is not - Jul 15, 2004 |website=www.cnn.com |access-date=May 29, 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13181735 |title=Gay marriage ban defeated in Senate vote |date=June 7, 2006 |work=msnbc.com |access-date=May 29, 2018 |language=en}} During his tenure, Chafee was the only sitting or former Republican senator to support the legalization of same-sex marriage, until Rob Portman of Ohio endorsed it in 2013.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20130316/NEWS/303169805 |title=Portman's shift on gay marriage mirrors many others' |website=The Columbus Dispatch}}

He supported affirmative action and gun control, and was one of only two Republicans to vote against the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (which prevents firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable for crimes committed with their products). On June 27, 2006, Chafee was one of only three Republicans to vote against the proposed Flag Desecration Amendment.

Chafee opposes the death penalty, and has consistently voted against limiting death penalty appeals in federal cases. He has also favored including racial statistics in death penalty appeals, and making DNA analysis a prerequisite for any federal-level, criminal executions.

On May 23, 2005, Chafee was one of 14 bipartisan senators to forge a compromise on the Democrats' use of the judicial filibuster, forestalling the Republican leadership's implementation of the so-called "nuclear option". Under the agreement, the Democrats would retain the power to filibuster a Bush II judicial nominee only in an "extraordinary circumstance", and three of the most conservative Bush appellate court nominees (Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen and William Pryor) would receive a vote by the full Senate. Chafee was the only Republican to oppose George W. Bush's nomination of Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court. However, he voted to end debate on the nomination, helping to end any chance of a Democratic filibuster of it.{{Cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/01/30/chafee_says_he_will_vote_against_alito/ |title=Chafee says he will vote against Alito |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208150415/http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2006/01/30/chafee_says_he_will_vote_against_alito/ |archive-date=February 8, 2006}} Chafee did not announce his opposition to the nomination until a majority of Senators had already publicly said they would support Alito.{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/alito-filibuster-fails-confirmation-vote-expected-tuesday |title=Alito Filibuster Fails, Confirmation Vote Expected Tuesday |date=January 31, 2006 |access-date=September 21, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111201135/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183204,00.html |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |publisher=Fox News |df=mdy-all}}

Chafee was the only Republican in the Senate to vote against authorization of the use of force in Iraq in the lead-up to the Iraq War. On June 22, 2006, he was the only Republican to vote for the Levin amendment calling for a nonbinding timetable for a withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.{{Cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00182 |title=Roll Call |publisher=Senate |access-date=May 15, 2012}} Chafee voted against the Kerry-Feingold amendment calling for a binding timetable.

Chafee is now involved in J Street, a liberal Jewish group that calls for Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories and advocates for a "two state" solution to the Arab–Israeli conflict.

In November 2006, immediately following the midterm elections, Chafee joined key Democrats in opposing President Bush's renomination of John Bolton as United States Ambassador to the United Nations. On December 4, 2006, the White House announced that Bolton would no longer seek the appointment, and would resign within a matter of weeks.

• U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
• U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works{{Cite web |url=http://www.epw.senate.gov/members/members.htm |title=U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works |website=senate.gov}}
• U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs{{Cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/public-statement/101142/chafee-to-serve-on-senate-committee-on-homeland-security-and-governmental-affairs#.UaZMbJz4Jvo |title=Chafee To Serve On Senate Committee On Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs - Public Statements - The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart |last=Linc Chafee |website=Project Vote Smart}}

File:RI governor Lincoln Chafee in 2007.jpg

In December 2006, Chafee announced he was accepting a fellowship to serve as a "distinguished visiting fellow" at Brown University's Thomas J. Watson Jr. Institute for International Studies. The university had Chafee lead a student group studying U.S. foreign policy.[http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo-20061215-chafeejob.1219261f.html Chafee takes fellowship at Brown]. December 15, 2006, Providence Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2007.

In September 2007, Chafee officially left the Republican Party, changing his affiliation to Independent. He said that he did so because of the Republican Party's drifting away from its core values, such as its abandoning fiscal conservatism. Citing the party's new tendency to pass tax cuts without spending cuts to balance the loss of revenue, he noted how the party was destroying social programs aimed to help middle-class and lower-income Americans, particularly Pell Grants and Head Start.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070917122021/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/16/AR2007091601815.html Former RI Sen. Lincoln Chafee Leaves GOP]. September 16, 2007 Associated Press report. Retrieved September 17, 2007. In February 2008, he said he was considering voting for then-Senator Barack Obama in Rhode Island's Democratic presidential primary election.[http://www.projo.com/news/politics/content/chafee_vote_02-08-08_A88UCGM_v13.37f3a0e.html Ex-Republican Chafee considers voting for Obama in R.I. primary]. Mark Arsenault, February 8, 2008 The Providence Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2008. On February 14, 2008, with the Rhode Island Democratic primary approaching in three weeks, Chafee officially endorsed Obama.{{Cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/14/former-rhode-island-senator-endorses-obama/ |title=Former Rhode Island senator endorses Obama |date=February 14, 2008 |access-date=November 3, 2010 |publisher=CNN.com |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143447/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/14/former-rhode-island-senator-endorses-obama/ |url-status=dead }} In 2012, he was one of 35 co-chairs selected to "act as key surrogates and ambassadors" for Obama's re-election campaign.{{Cite news |last=Tau |first=Byron |url=http://www.politico.com/politico44/2012/02/obama-campaign-announces-cochairs-115161.html |title=Obama campaign announces co-chairs |date=February 22, 2012 |work=Politico |access-date=May 15, 2012}}

In 2008, Chafee joined the advisory board of J Street, a lobbying group that promotes diplomatic relations between Israel and its neighbors, and supports an independent Palestinian state.{{Cite web |url=http://www.jstreet.org/supporters |title=Supporters |publisher=J Street |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110042127/http://www.jstreet.org/supporters |archive-date=November 10, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}

In September 2008, Chafee received media attention for describing Sarah Palin, then-Governor of Alaska and the Republican vice-presidential nominee in the 2008 presidential election, as a "cocky wacko."{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26661483 |title=Former GOP senator calls Palin a 'cocky wacko' |date=September 11, 2008 |publisher=NBC News}}

{{main|2010 Rhode Island gubernatorial election}}

On January 4, 2010, Chafee formally declared his intention to run for Governor of Rhode Island in 2010 as an independent,{{Cite web |url=http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/12/chafee-to-make-it-official-he.html |title=Chafee to make it official: He is running for governor – Projo 7 to 7 News Blog | Rhode Island news | The Providence Journal |publisher=Newsblog.projo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724080548/http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/12/chafee-to-make-it-official-he.html |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |access-date=November 3, 2010}} as the incumbent Governor Donald Carcieri (a Republican re-elected the same day Chafee lost his Senate re-election bid) was term-limited at the time. On October 31, 2010, electoral analysis site FiveThirtyEight.com gave Chafee a 63.8% chance of victory, compared to Democratic opponent Frank T. Caprio's 26.2% and Republican opponent John Robitaille's 10.0%.{{Cite news |url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/governor/rhode-island |title=Rhode Island Governor Forecast |access-date=November 3, 2010 |publisher=Elections.nytimes.com}} Likewise, other sites, such as the Cook Political Report, classified the race as a "toss-up".{{Cite web |url=http://www.cookpolitical.com/governors |title=Cook Political Report – Governors |publisher=Cookpolitical.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026191254/http://cookpolitical.com/governors |archive-date=October 26, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2010 |df=mdy-all}} Chafee's approval rating at the time of his 2006 defeat was between 51% and 63%.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/7/27/11938/2973 |title=Interviewwith Tom Allen |publisher=MyDD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121438/http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/7/27/11938/2973 |archive-date=March 3, 2009 |access-date=November 3, 2010}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollTrack.aspx?g=417c7a9d-d8ec-4083-8e80-ca577e486925&x=0,0 |title=RI Jr Sen Approval |publisher=SurveyUSA |access-date=November 3, 2010}}

On September 16, 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (who had also switched from Republican to Independent to Democratic in recent years) traveled to Rhode Island. Bloomberg praised Chafee's "experience and integrity", saying that Chafee would put Rhode Islanders' interests "ahead of party interests", and that Chafee would "produce results -— because that's exactly what he did as a mayor and as senator."{{Cite web |url=http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/ny-mayor-bloomberg-visits-prov.html |title=Update: NY Mayor Bloomberg visits RI, endorses Chafee/ Video – Projo 7 to 7 News Blog | Rhode Island news | The Providence Journal |publisher=Newsblog.projo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107091035/http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/ny-mayor-bloomberg-visits-prov.html |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=November 3, 2010}}

It was reported that President Obama's lack of endorsement of any of the candidates indicated tacit support of Chafee over Democrat Caprio.{{Cite news |last=Bidgood |first=Jess |url=http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/c/lincoln_chafee/index.html |title=Lincoln Chafee |date=November 3, 2010 |work=New York Times |access-date=May 8, 2012}}

Chafee easily won the endorsements of all major public school teachers unions, including the Rhode Island affiliates of the National Education Association{{Cite web |url=http://rifuture.org/the-neari-endorses-linc-chafee-.html |title=The NEARI Endorses Lincoln Chafee |date=August 25, 2010 |publisher=Rifuture.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718053307/http://rifuture.org/the-neari-endorses-linc-chafee-.html |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |access-date=November 3, 2010 |df=mdy-all}} and American Federation of Teachers{{Cite web |url=http://riteachers4chafee.com |title=RIFT for Chafee |publisher=Riteachers4chafee.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826061908/http://riteachers4chafee.com/ |archive-date=August 26, 2011 |access-date=November 3, 2010}} in his 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

On November 2, 2010, Chafee won the gubernatorial race, winning with a 36% plurality in the seven-candidate race.

In August 2012, he announced plans to attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, to show support for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.{{Cite web |url=http://news.providencejournal.com/politics/2012/08/independent-ri-gov-chafee-to-attend-democratic-convention.html |title=News - providencejournal.com - Providence, RI |website=providencejournal.com}} After constant speculation during his term, Chafee officially joined the Democratic Party on May 30, 2013.{{Citation |last1=McGowan |first1=Dan |title=Chafee: Obama 'big reason' for becoming a Dem |date=May 30, 2013 |url=http://wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/mcgowan/warwick-ri-gov-lincoln-chafee-officially-becomes-democrat |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609054220/http://wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/mcgowan/warwick-ri-gov-lincoln-chafee-officially-becomes-democrat |publisher=WPRI-TV |access-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |last2=White |first2=Tim |url-status=bot: unknown}} He had previously indicated that he might run for re-election as an Independent or a Democrat.{{Cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode-island/2012/12/14/gov-chafee-open-running-for-term-dem/Q5g9thzMcZzorBrTmyOYuM/story.html |title=RI Gov. Chafee open to running for 2nd term as Dem |last=Klepper |first=David |date=December 14, 2012 |website=Associated Press |publisher=Boston.com |access-date=December 18, 2012}}

Chafee came to office in the depths of the worst recession in decades. Unemployment peaked at 11.4% in the first months of his tenure. Over his four budgets, July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2015, the rate dropped to 5.9%, second best in the country.

Chafee also inherited a crisis with impending bankruptcies of a number of municipalities including Providence, East Providence, Pawtucket, West Warwick and Woonsocket.

As a former mayor, Chafee was a strong advocate for the state's city and towns. He increased state aid and intervened to protect these distressed communities.{{Cite news |last=Donnis |first=Ian |url=https://wrnipoliticsblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/chafee-unveils-plan-for-states-distressed-communities-legislative-outlook-uncertain/ |title=Chafee Unveils Plan for State's Distressed Communities; Legislative Outlook Uncertain |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2015 |publisher=RINPR}}

One city, Central Falls, did declare a bankruptcy. Chafee appointed a special master to run the city on an interim basis, negotiate concessions with labor and retirees, and pass a budget with tax increases. Central Falls emerged from bankruptcy the following year.

Chafee had campaigned on a platform that included lowering the state sales tax by creating a 1% tax on 59 tax exempt commodities and services. This would have squarely addressed the Rhode Island legislature annual budget deficit.

A 2012 poll showed that some of Chafee's proposed tax increases, intended to move the state from budget deficit to surplus status, had received negative feedback from Rhode Island residents. As Governor of Rhode Island, Chafee received grades of D in 2012{{Cite web |url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/GRC2012.pdf |title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2012 |last=Edwards |first=Chris |date=October 9, 2012 |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=September 3, 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2012 |title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors: 2012 |last=Edwards |first=Chris |date=October 9, 2012 |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=September 3, 2015}} and B in 2014{{Cite web |url=http://object.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/fprc-on-americas-governors_1.pdf |title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014 |last1=Kaeding |first1=Nicole |last2=Edwards |first2=Chris |date=October 2, 2014 |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=September 3, 2015}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/fiscal-policy-report-card-americas-governors-2014 |title=Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors 2014 |last1=Kaeding |first1=Nicole |last2=Edwards |first2=Chris |date=October 2, 2014 |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=September 3, 2015}} from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in their biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.

In two of his four budgets, there were no tax increases. At the same time, he restored 20% to local education and higher education, cut by his predecessor.{{Cite news |last=Nagle |first=Kate |url=http://www.golocalprov.com/news/chafees-budget-education/ |title=Chafee's Budget: Education |date=January 16, 2014 |access-date=October 24, 2015 |publisher=GoLocalProv}}

In May 2012, Chafee refused on principle to release a prisoner charged with murder to federal custody because Rhode Island hadn't had an execution since 1842 and the US Attorney refused to guarantee the prisoner, if convicted would receive a maximum life imprisonment without parole. Chafee said: "The State of Rhode Island must seek to protect both the strong states' rights issues at stake, and the legitimacy of its longstanding public policy against the death penalty."{{Cite news |last=Rivoli |first=Dan |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/340231/20120511/lincoln-chafee-rhode-island-death-penalty.htm |title=Death Penalty Causes State-Fed Clash Over Accused Murderer In Rhode Island |date=May 11, 2012 |work=Business & Law |access-date=May 28, 2012}}

Chafee championed a bill that legalized same-sex marriage in Rhode Island,{{Cite news |url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2013/05/02/rhode-island-gov-signs-marriage-equality-bill |title=No. 10: Rhode Island Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage |date=May 2, 2013 |publisher=Advocate}} signing it into law on May 2, 2013.

Chafee has shown some willingness to deviate from strict "War on Drugs" policies, in favor of alternative approaches to America's drug-crime problem.Nadelmann, Ethan (December 27, 2010) [http://www.thenation.com/article/157010/breaking-taboo Breaking the Taboo], The Nation

On "education reform" in general, Chafee does not believe the politically and publicly popular presumption that America's schools are failing, saying:

This notion of all these failing schools, if this were true, how did America get to be at the status where we are in the world if it were that bad? So I don't buy into the trashing of our public school system. Somehow Brown University, and University of Rhode Island and Bryant University, Providence College are full of public school students that are doing very, very well and leading America in many fields. Yes, there's room for improvement, I don't deny that and I want to be part of the improvement. But the notion that our public school systems are in disarray and failing, I don't buy that.{{Cite web |url=http://rifuture.org/interview-lincoln-chafee-on-jobs-the-riedc-race-to-the-top-and-more.html |title=Lincoln Chafee on Jobs, the RIEDC, Race to the Top and More |date=September 24, 2010 |publisher=Rifuture.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128201916/http://rifuture.org/interview-lincoln-chafee-on-jobs-the-riedc-race-to-the-top-and-more.html |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}

Chafee was the only public figure in Rhode Island to vigorously oppose an ill-fated deal in which the previous governor committed an unsecured $75 million loan to a former baseball star, Curt Schilling, to develop a new video game, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The first payments started two months before he took office in January 2011.

The game was released in February 2012 to moderate critical success, but failed commercially. 38 Studios ended up laying off their staff and filed for bankruptcy. According to Schilling, Chafee's public comments calling the game a "failure" caused a publisher to pull out of a $35 million deal that could have paid for a sequel. In response, Chafee said he would need to "verify" Schilling's claim, saying that he couldn't "just take it as a leap of faith." He added that it "isn't accurate" to blame the state for the company's collapse.{{Cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=2012-05-29 |title=Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 Nearly Happened |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/29/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-2-nearly-happened |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=IGN |language=en}}

As chair of the agency securing the loan, Chafee initiated a lawsuit to recover lost funds for Rhode Island taxpayers. To date, about $17 million has been recovered through settlements.

File:Christmas Tree at Rhode Island State House 2013.jpg

In 2011, Fox News and local conservatives and pundits stirred up controversy over the Christmas tree at the Rhode Island State House.{{Cite web|agency=Associated Press|date=2011-12-06|title=Christmas tree controversy takes root in RI|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/12/6/20236381/christmas-tree-controversy-takes-root-in-ri|access-date=2020-10-24|website=Deseret News|language=en}} Governor Chafee said he called the towering fir, decorated with lights, tinsel and toys, a "holiday tree," because that had been the accepted practice of the two previous governors, both Republicans. {{citation needed|date=September 2022}} Chafee went on national TV with commentator Bill O'Reilly, calling Fox News' "war on Christmas" coverage "angry."{{Cite news|last=Wemple|first=Erik|title=Rhode Island gov. to O'Reilly: 'You generate these controversies'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2012/11/30/rhode-island-guv-to-oreilly-you-generate-these-controversies/|access-date=2020-10-24|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en-US}}

{{main|2014 Rhode Island gubernatorial election}}

Chafee had previously indicated that he might run for re-election as an Independent or a Democrat. With polling showing him trailing in the Democratic primary, Chafee announced on September 4, 2013, that he would not run for re-election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/09/04/why-lincoln-chafees-decision-not-to-run-for-reelection-is-more-good-news-for-democrats/ |title=Why Lincoln Chafee's decision not to run for reelection is more good news for Democrats |last=Sullivan |first=Sean |date=September 4, 2013 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 6, 2013}}{{Cite web |url=http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/04/20327881-gov-chafee-wont-run-for-a-second-term?lite |title=Gov. Chafee won't run for a second term |last=Taylor |first=Jessica |date=September 4, 2013 |website=NBC News |access-date=September 6, 2013}} Chafee thus became just the fourth governor in the history of Rhode Island to decline to seek a second term, and the first since William S. Flynn in 1924.{{Cite web |url=http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/09/chafee_just_4th_rhode_island_g.php |title=Chafee Just 4th Rhode Island Governor Since 1790 to Pass On 2nd Term |last=Ostermeier |first=Eric |date=September 6, 2013 |website=Smart Politics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004070640/http://blog.lib.umn.edu/cspg/smartpolitics/2013/09/chafee_just_4th_rhode_island_g.php |archive-date=October 4, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2013}}

{{Main|Lincoln Chafee 2016 presidential campaign}}

On April 9, 2015, Chafee announced that he had formed an exploratory committee in preparation for a potential candidacy for President of the United States as a Democrat in 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/09/politics/lincoln-chafee-2016-presidential-plans/ |title=Lincoln Chafee launches 2016 exploratory committee, goes after Clinton on Iraq |last=Merica, Dan |date=April 9, 2015 |publisher=CNN.com |access-date=May 20, 2015}} He formally declared candidacy on June 3, 2015, with the campaign focused on ten stated issues with "Prosperity Through Peace" being his slogan.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-06-03/lincoln-chafee-set-to-enter-democratic-presidential-field |title=Lincoln Chafee ~~Enters~~ Democratic Presidential Field |last=Brody |first=Ben |date=June 3, 2015 |publisher=Bloomberg Politics |access-date=June 3, 2015}}

Following a widely panned debate performance and poor polling numbers, Chafee announced on October 23, 2015, that he would be ending his campaign.{{Cite news |last1=Merica |first1=Dan |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/23/politics/lincoln-chafee-2016-election-dnc-meeting/index.html |title=Lincoln Chafee drops out of Democratic primary race |date=October 23, 2015 |work=CNN |last2=LoBianco |first2=Tom}} After she secured the Democratic nomination, a Chafee spokesman said that he would support Hillary Clinton.{{cite tweet|number=760882620322357248|user=merica|title=Lincoln Chafee, who briefly ran against HRC, will "enthusiastically support" Hillary Clinton now that she is the nominee, per Chafee's spox. |date=August 3, 2016}}

Chafee considered challenging Sheldon Whitehouse for his former Senate seat in 2018, but ultimately decided against doing so.{{Cite web |url=http://www.wpri.com/politics/chafee-will-very-likely-challenge-whitehouse-for-us-senate/1140306121 |title=Chafee will 'very likely' challenge Whitehouse for US Senate |last1=Kalunian |first1=Kim |last2=Towne |first2=Shaun |date=April 25, 2018 |website=WPRI-TV |access-date=April 25, 2018 |last3=Nesi |first3=Ted}}{{Cite web |url=http://ripr.org/post/chafee-decides-against-us-senate-run-2018 |title=Chafee Decides Against U.S. Senate Run In 2018 |last=Donnis |first=Ian |date=May 29, 2018 |website=Rhode Island Public Radio |access-date=May 29, 2018}}

Between 2018 and 2019, Chafee and his family moved their residency to Wyoming.{{Cite web |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190128/lincoln-chafee-and-family-settling-in-wyoming |title=Lincoln Chafee and family settling in Wyoming |last=Gregg |first=Katherine |date=January 28, 2019 |publisher=Providence Journal |language=en |access-date=January 6, 2020}} By 2018, Chaffee's wife Stefanie had registered as a voter in Teton Village, Wyoming. Chafee completed his move to Wyoming in 2019.{{Cite web |url=https://time.com/5759486/lincoln-chafee-2020-presidential-campaign-libertarian/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106124140/https://time.com/5759486/lincoln-chafee-2020-presidential-campaign-libertarian/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2020 |title=Lincoln Chafee Files to Run for President |date=January 6, 2020 |publisher=Time |language=en |access-date=January 6, 2020 |agency=Associated Press}}

In 2020, Chafee joined the Libertarians for the National Popular Vote advisory board.{{ cite web | url=https://www.libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com/about-us |title=Libertarians for National Popular Vote About Us | website=libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com | access-date=January 14, 2021 |quote=We Are Libertarians for National Popular Vote. }}

Chafee has endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the 2024 United States presidential election. Kennedy initially ran as a Democrat and later withdrew before the Democratic primaries began to run as an Independent.{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |last2=O’Brien |first2=Rebecca Davis |date=2023-09-29 |title=Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Hints Strongly at Third-Party Presidential Bid |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/29/us/politics/robert-f-kennedy-third-party-democrats-primary.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |issn=0362-4331}}

{{Infobox U.S. federal election campaign

| committee = Lincoln Chafee For President

| logo =

| logo_alt =

| campaign = 2020 United States presidential election (Libertarian Party primaries)

| candidate = Lincoln Chafee
Governor of Rhode Island (2011–2015)
U.S. Senator from Rhode Island (1999–2007)
Mayor of Warwick (1993–1999)

| announced = January 8, 2020

| suspended = April 5, 2020

| headquarters = Jackson Hole, Wyoming

| key_people = Christopher S. Thrasher (Initial Campaign Director)
Charles Peralo, Andrew Eichen, and Jacob Linker (Campaign Managers)
Caswell Cooke Jr. (Treasurer)

| receipts = 62,546

| receipts_footnote =

| fec_date =

| slogan = Lead with Truth
Tell The Truth

| themesong =

| chant =

| website = {{URL|www.LincolnChafee.com}}

}}

In February 2017, Chafee had made it known that he was not ruling out another run for the presidency.{{Cite web |url=https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2017/02/21/lincoln-chaffee-jokes-about-running-for-president-again-in-2020 |title=Lincoln Chaffee jokes about running for president again in 2020 |last=DeCosta-Klipa |first=Nik |date=February 21, 2017 |publisher=Boston.com |access-date=January 6, 2020}}

On March 11, 2019, Chafee officially switched from the Democratic to the Libertarian Party, stating, "It's what I've always been—fiscally conservative and socially liberal."{{Cite news |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Edward |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/rhode-island/2019/06/04/make-that-four-political-parties-for-lincoln-chafee/JGGdRYjlFo65STHLq1JS7N/story.html |title=Make that four political parties for Lincoln Chafee |date=June 4, 2019 |work=The Boston Globe |access-date=January 6, 2020 |language=en-US}} In August, Chafee declared that he'd "be open" to running for president as a Libertarian.{{Cite news |last=Brodey |first=Sam |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/lincoln-chafee-id-be-open-to-a-libertarian-white-house-bid |title=Lincoln Chafee: 'I'd Be Open' to a Libertarian White House Bid |date=August 22, 2019 |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=January 6, 2020 |language=en}}

On January 5, 2020, Chafee formally filed to run for the Libertarian Party nomination.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/06/politics/lincoln-chafee-presidential-run-2020-libertarian/index.html |title=Lincoln Chafee files to run for president as a libertarian |last=LeBlanc |first=Paul |date=January 6, 2020 |publisher=CNN |access-date=January 6, 2020}} He formally announced his candidacy on January 8 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.{{Cite news |url=https://turnto10.com/politics/chafee-to-formally-launch-presidential-bid-as-libertarian |title=Chafee formally launches presidential bid as Libertarian |date=January 8, 2020 |department=TurnTo10.com |access-date=January 8, 2020 |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group |location=Providence, RI |language=en}}

Chafee's 2020 platform highlighted issues such as foreign intervention, the war on drugs, and government spending.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lincolnchafee.com/ |title=Lincoln For Liberty |publisher=Lincoln Chafee For President |access-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330170020/https://www.lincolnchafee.com/ |url-status=dead }}{{primary source inline|date=April 2020}} While individuals such as former New York gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe and national party chair Nicholas Sarwark were supportive of Chafee, others including the Rhode Island state chair Pat Ford were more skeptical due to his historical positions on gun control issues, among other things.{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Patrick |title=Former R.I. Gov. Lincoln Chafee wants the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination. But he won't get it without a 'fierce conversation.' |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20200106/former-ri-gov-lincoln-chafee-wants-libertarian-partys-presidential-nomination-but-he-wont-get-it-without-fierce-conversation |access-date=January 6, 2020 |work=The Providence Journal |date=January 6, 2020 |language=en-US}} According to The Providence Journal, Chafee hired Libertarian consultant Christopher Thrasher as campaign manager and selected Westerly Town Council member Caswell Cooke Jr. for the position of campaign treasurer.

On April 5, 2020, Chafee announced on Facebook that he was ending his campaign for the Libertarian presidential nomination. He did not make any endorsements for president.{{cite news |title=Lincoln Chafee Ends Libertarian Run For President|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/04/05/lincoln-chafee-ends-libertarian-run-for-president/

|access-date=April 6, 2020 |publisher=WBZ-TV|date=April 6, 2020 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |language=en}}

{{Update|section|date=August 2020}}While serving in the U.S. Senate, Chafee was characterized as a "moderate" or even "liberal Republican."{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/06/03/411327420/5-things-you-should-know-about-lincoln-chafee |title=5 Things You Should Know About Lincoln Chafee |work=NPR.org |access-date=July 3, 2018 |language=en}} The non-partisan National Journal in 2005 gave him a composite 59% liberal score and a 41% conservative score.{{Cite web |url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/2569/linc-chafee#.VSfW65O868A |title=Lincoln 'Linc' D. Chafee's Ratings and Endorsements |website=Project Vote Smart |access-date=April 10, 2015}} His record as a more liberal Republican Senator earned him criticism from conservatives; the conservative magazine, Human Events, labeled him one of the top ten RINOs, or what they consider to be insufficiently conservative, in 2005.{{Cite news |url=http://humanevents.com/2005/12/27/top-10-rinos-republicans-in-name-only/ |title=Top 10 RINOs (Republicans in Name Only) {{!}} Human Events |work=Human Events |access-date=May 29, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529203052/http://humanevents.com/2005/12/27/top-10-rinos-republicans-in-name-only/ |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |language=en-US}} According to GovTrack, Chafee was the most liberal Republican Senator in 2006 being placed by GovTrack's analysis to the left of every Republican and several Democrats.{{Cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/lincoln_chafee/300020 |title=Lincoln Chafee, former Senator for Rhode Island - GovTrack.us |website=GovTrack.us |language=en |access-date=July 18, 2018}} Later, as governor of Rhode Island, he pursued a centrist agenda that alienated special interests on both the left and right, "from unions to the state's Roman Catholic bishop." He has called for moderation and deescalation in U.S. foreign policy, combined with pragmatic fiscal conservatism, and liberal social policies.

Chafee has generally been considered pro-choice. In the U.S. Senate, Chafee was one of three Republicans to vote against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.{{Cite book |last=Swers |first=Michelle |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NnQ-es6oHWAC&pg=PA260 |title=Women in the Club: Gender and Policy Making in the Senate |date=2013 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-02296-3 |page=260}} He has received a 90-percent rating from NARAL and previously served on that organization's national board. In 2015 Chafee said that he strongly supported "a woman's right to make her own personal reproductive decisions."

Chafee is the only governor to have vetoed a bill proposing the availability of Choose Life license plates to Rhode Islanders, citing an inappropriateness of using state license plates to fund politically divisive initiatives and as a violation of the separation of Church and State. This decision was criticized as a violation of free speech and as having been influenced by his previous post on NARAL's board of directors.{{Cite web |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/article/20130716/NEWS/307169972 |title=Gov. Chafee vetoes anti-abortion 'Choose Life' license plate bill |last=Marcelo |first=Philip |website=providencejournal.com}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.630wpro.com/2013/07/17/news-chafee-vetoes-choose-life-license-plate-bill/ |title=NEWS: Chafee vetoes "Choose Life" license plate bill |date=July 17, 2013 |website=WPRO}}

Chafee's policy on firearms regulation previously mirrored the views of his father, John Chafee, who was generally supportive of a strict regulatory environment.{{Cite book |last=Carter |first=Greg |title=Guns in American Society: A-L |date=2002 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-268-4 |page=108}} Chafee later said he supports "common sense adherence to the Second Amendment."{{Cite web |url=https://www.chafee2016.com/policy/ |title=My Priorities |website=Chafee 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411150359/http://www.chafee2016.com/policy/ |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} In January 2020, in an interview with Reason magazine, he cited “distrust in government” as the reason his position had evolved, and that he “believe[s] the authors of the Second Amendment wrote it with that in mind.” {{Cite web |url=https://reason.com/2020/01/06/lincoln-chafee-former-republican-senator-and-independent-governor-seeks-libertarian-party-presidential-nomination/ |title=Lincoln Chafee, Former Republican Senator and Independent Governor, Seeks Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination |date=January 6, 2020}}

In 2011, as governor of Rhode Island, Chafee challenged an order of a federal court to transfer a prisoner in state custody to the United States government, because the prisoner in question might be subject to capital punishment, which Rhode Island had abolished. At the time, Chafee said, "my actions are motivated by my obligation as governor to safeguard Rhode Island's sovereignty and the integrity of its laws."{{Cite web |url=http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-voices-rhode-islands-governor-explains-his-resistance-federal-death-penalty-case |title=Rhode Island's Governor Explains His Resistance to Federal Death Penalty Case |website=Death Penalty Information Center |access-date=April 10, 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Andrew |url=http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/death-penalty-death-watch-rhode-island-and-the-rest-of-the-world/ |title=Death Penalty Death Watch: Rhode Island and the Rest of the World |date=December 22, 2011 |work=New York Times |access-date=April 11, 2015}}

Chafee has indicated he is receptive to the idea of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana and in 2006 supported Rhode Island's legalization of medical marijuana.{{Cite news |last=Bender |first=John |url=http://ripr.org/post/gov-lincoln-chafee-open-cautious-about-legalizing-recreational-marijuana |title=Gov. Lincoln Chafee Open, But Cautious About Legalizing Recreational Marijuana |date=April 26, 2014 |work=Rhode Island Public Radio |access-date=April 10, 2015}} He has praised the Libertarian Party for its “enlightened approach to the corrosive and failed war on drugs.”{{Cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/rhode-island/2019/07/19/the-party-peace-why-joined-libertarian-party/6syxdoJgnN04qcmJpAFwyH/story.html |title=The party of peace: Why I joined the Libertarian Party - the Boston Globe|website=The Boston Globe}}

In March 2020, after moving to Wyoming, Chafee testified in favour of a bill in the Wyoming House of Representatives that would have legalized and regulated marijuana usage in Wyoming.

In 2015 Chafee said he believed "certain of our rights have been wrongfully infringed upon. Particularly the Fourth Amendment which forbids the tapping of our phones without a warrant." While in the U.S. Senate, Chafee was the only Republican to vote against the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which restricted habeas corpus rights of persons detained by the U.S. Department of Defense as enemy combatants.{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Taylor (politician) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uVwrAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA387 |title=Politics on a Human Scale: The American Tradition of Decentralism |date=2013 |publisher=Lexington Books |isbn=978-0-7391-7576-7 |page=387}}

Chafee has said he supports requiring voters to present photo identification at polling places.{{Cite news |last=Levitz |first=Jennifer |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203686204577113041765247520 |title=The Price of Independence |date=December 23, 2011 |work=Wall Street Journal |access-date=April 10, 2015 |ref=wsj}} In 2011 he signed legislation mandating photo ID in Rhode Island elections, stating that he believed requiring photo ID was a "reasonable request to ensure the accuracy and integrity of our elections."{{Cite news |last=Beale |first=Stephen |url=http://www.golocalprov.com/news/new-chafee-defends-voter-id-bill/ |title=NEW: Chafee Defends Voter ID Law |date=July 6, 2011 |work=GoLocalProv |access-date=April 10, 2015}} The Rhode Island law does allow voters without an approved form of identification to cast a provisional ballot that will be counted if the voter's signature matches the one on file.{{Cite web |url=https://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/voter-id-laws-passed-2011/ |title=Voter ID Laws Passed Since 2011 |date=November 12, 2013 |website=Brennan Center for Justice |access-date=July 24, 2015}}

In 2013, five years after his Providence Journal commentary urging passage of the plan, Chafee signed legislation entering Rhode Island into the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/pages/articles/providencejournal_20130712.php |title=From National Popular Vote to liquor store hours, Chafee signs legislation into law |last=Katherine Gregg |date=July 12, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2015}} As governor he also signed legislation creating the Voter Choice Study Commission "for the purpose of studying instant-runoff voting and other advanced voting methods."{{Cite web |url=http://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/2014/title-17/chapter-17-29/section-17-29-3 |title=RI Gen L § 17-29-3 (2014) |website=law.justia.com |access-date=July 27, 2015}}

In the Senate, Chafee voted in support of the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (commonly known as the McCain-Feingold Act), which tightened regulation of "soft money" contributions in political campaigns.{{Cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2001/apr/3/20010403-021907-7707r/?page=all |title=Senate passes McCain-Feingold |date=April 3, 2001 |work=Washington Times |access-date=April 10, 2015}}

Chafee has stated his opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In the Senate he opposed the Clear Skies Act of 2003 which critics said would increase air pollution if enacted. Chafee has argued that granite is objectively the best rock as it is vital to Rhode Island's economy. The League of Conservation Voters has given Chafee a 79-percent rating while, in 2006, he received an endorsement from the Sierra Club.{{Cite book |last=Zuniga |first=Markos |url=https://archive.org/details/takingonsystemru00moul_1/page/229 |title=Taking on the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era |date=2008 |publisher=Celebra |isbn=978-0-451-22519-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/takingonsystemru00moul_1/page/229 229] |url-access=registration}}

Chafee supports switching the U.S. to the metric system.{{Cite web|last=Bradner|first=Eric|date=June 4, 2015|title=Lincoln Chafee locks down the metric advocate vote|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/04/politics/lincoln-chafee-metric-system/index.html|website=CNN}}

Chafee opposes a constitutional amendment intended to ban gay marriage. In 2011, Governor Chafee signed a bill into law legalizing civil unions.{{Cite news |last=Howard |first=Zach |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gaymarriage-rhodeisland/rhode-island-governor-signs-gay-civil-union-law-despite-doubts-idUSTRE7611JF20110702 |title=Rhode Island governor signs gay civil union law despite doubts |work=U.S. |access-date=July 24, 2018 |language=en-US}} In 2013, as governor of Rhode Island, Chafee signed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in that state, declaring that "we are living up to the ideal of our founders".{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/02/180647841/rhode-island-house-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill |title=Rhode Island Becomes 10th State To Allow Same-Sex Marriage |date=May 2, 2013 |work=NPR |access-date=April 10, 2015}} The New York Times described Chafee as a "strong proponent" of the bill, which faced significant opposition from the Democratic president of the Rhode Island State Senate.{{Cite news |last=Seelye |first=Katharine Q. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/us/politics/rhode-island-weighs-gay-marriage-as-the-last-holdout-in-new-england.html |title=The Last Holdout in New England, Rhode Island Weighs Gay Marriage |date=January 24, 2013 |work=The New York Times}}

As Rhode Island governor, Chafee called for a cut in the commercial property tax to spur economic development in Providence, Rhode Island.{{Cite news |last=Kuffner |first=Alex |url=http://www.politifact.com/rhode-island/statements/2012/feb/10/lincoln-chafee/rhode-island-governor-lincoln-chafee-says-commerci/ |title=Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee says that the commercial property tax in Providence is second-highest in the nation behind only Detroit |date=February 10, 2012 |work=Providence Journal |access-date=April 10, 2015}} From the National Taxpayers Union, a conservative taxpayers advocacy organization, as U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, Chafee received grades of D in 2000, C− in 2001, C in 2002, C− in 2003 and 2004, D in 2005 and 2006, and as Governor of Rhode Island, Chafee received a "B" rating, the National Taxpayers Union citing his move to repeal the Rhode Island franchise tax and reduce estate taxes.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ntu.org/governmentbytes/detail/which-governors-made-the-honor-roll |title=Which Governors Made the Honor Roll? |publisher=National Taxpayers Union |access-date=April 10, 2014}} Also as Governor of Rhode Island, Chafee received grades of D in 2012 and B in 2014 from the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, in their biennial Fiscal Policy Report Card on America's Governors.

In 2001 and 2003, while in the U.S. Senate, Chafee voted against the Bush tax cuts arguing he was concerned they favored the highest income brackets and about unchecked growth in the federal deficit. Chafee said that "cutting taxes is easy for politicians, we love to cut taxes. It takes responsibility to make sure our revenues match our expenditures and we're not doing that right now."{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/04/24/cnna.cnna.chaffee/ |title=Sen. Lincoln Chafee on the Bush tax cuts proposal |date=April 24, 2003 |work=CNN |access-date=April 10, 2015}}

[[File:VISITA DEL SENADOR REPUBLICANO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS, LINCOLN CHAFEE, A LA CANCILLER MARIA ISABEL SALVADOR (2178458340).jpg|thumb|left|

Chafee visits with Ecuadoran Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Isabel Salvador in 2008. Chafee has called for increased U.S. engagement in Latin America.]]

Chafee supports President Obama's nuclear disarmament agreement with Iran. He has called for deescalation combined with cultural dialogue and exchange modeled after "the ping pong diplomacy of the Nixon era."{{Cite web |url=http://www.choices.edu/resources/scholars_Chafee.php |title=Scholars Online: Lincoln Chafee |website=Choices Program |publisher=Brown University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319054442/http://choices.edu/resources/scholars_Chafee.php |archive-date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2015 |df=mdy-all}} He is strongly opposed to a possible war with Iran, which he sees as a negative consequence stemming from the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which he also opposed.

Chafee has criticized what he has characterized as a Biblical influence on U.S. policy with respect to Israel. He has said he opposes the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank,{{Cite news |last=Mulligan |first=John |title=Chafee, Laffey differ on Mideast |date=April 16, 2006 |work=Providence Journal}} but described Hamas as a "violent organization with a genocidal charter" {{Cite web |url=https://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2006-07/06-092t.html |title=06-092t (Text of Sen. Chafee's Address) |website=www.brown.edu |access-date=October 20, 2015}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jan/12/Israel |last=Jerusalem |first=Chris McGreal in |website=The Guardian |access-date=October 20, 2015}} In 2007, Chafee also stated that Israel's security was a paramount consideration in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. Chafee serves on the advisory council of J Street{{Cite web |url=http://jstreet.org/supporters/advisory-council |title=Advisory Council |website=J Street |access-date=April 10, 2015}} and has voted to continue foreign aid to the Israeli government,{{Cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2016/Lincoln_Chafee_Foreign_Policy.htm |title=Lincoln Chafee on Foreign Policy |website=www.ontheissues.org |access-date=October 20, 2015}} among others.

File:Chafee at the US Naval War College in 2014.jpg, Rear Admiral Walter E. Carter Jr. and Brigadier General Rick Baccus.]]

Referring to Latin America, Chafee has called for the U.S. government to "reengage our neighbors." However, Chafee has also said recent U.S. inattention to the region was "a blessing in disguise" as it allowed democratic governments to flourish free of U.S. influence.{{Cite book |last=Chafee |first=Lincoln |title=Against the Tide: How a Compliant Congress Empowered a Reckless President |date=2010 |publisher=Macmillan |page=189}}

Chafee has said one of the U.S.' highest priorities should be improving relations with the Russian Federation and has called for rapprochement, including the lifting of sanctions against Russia.{{Cite news |last=Shabad |first=Rebecca |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/244243-lincoln-chafee-questions-us-sanctions-against-russia/ |title=Lincoln Chafee questions US sanctions against Russia |date=June 7, 2015 |work=The Hill |access-date=June 7, 2015}}

While serving in the United States Senate, Chafee was one of 23 senators, and the only Republican, to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq, which provided the legal mechanism for the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. When asked, in 2015, how the U.S. could most effectively deal with ISIS, Chafee said the U.S. should pursue a policy of containment through alliance-building with regional powers.{{Cite news |url=https://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/chafee--we-should-be-talking-with-iran-426037827949 |title=Chafee: We should be talking with Iran |date=April 10, 2015 |work=MSNBC |access-date=April 10, 2015}} Chafee has said the U.S. "must make international decisions with brains and not biceps", and at the first 2016 Democratic primary debate, stated that the U.S. must end its use of "perpetual wars",{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/14/us/politics/democratic-debate-transcript.html |title=Full Transcript: Democratic Presidential Debate |date=October 14, 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 21, 2015 |issn=0362-4331}} referring in part to the War on Terror. In his speech declaring his withdrawal from the 2016 Presidential race at the annual Women's Leadership Forum in Washington, DC, Chafee again made the case for peace, attacking the field of Republican candidates for demonstrating a lack of desire "to understand anything about the Middle East and North Africa" and instead espousing "more bellicosity, more saber rattling, and more blind macho posturing." He ended the speech by reminding the audience that the United States is one of the strongest countries in history, economically, militarily, and culturally, and so not only could afford to take risks for peace, but "must take risks for peace." Arguing for a new paradigm, he concluded by asking the audience whether they wanted to be remembered as bombers of weddings and hospitals, or as peace makers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.chafee2016.com/chafee-withdraws-from-2016-democratic-presidential-race/ |title=Chafee Withdraws From 2016 Presidential Race |last=Chafee |first=Lincoln |website=Chafee2016.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204075246/http://www.chafee2016.com/chafee-withdraws-from-2016-democratic-presidential-race/ |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |access-date=October 26, 2015}} He has cited its anti-war stance as one of the primary reasons he joined the Libertarian Party, calling it “the party of peace” in a Boston Globe op-ed.

Chafee endorsed George W. Bush in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, but declined to endorse Bush in the 2004 contest.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Michelle |url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/former-goper-turned-independent-governor-coul |title=Former GOPer-turned-Independent governor could join Dems |date=March 9, 2013 |access-date=April 10, 2014}} In 2008 Chafee endorsed Barack Obama for U.S. president during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, and went on to serve as national co-chair of Obama's 2012 reelection campaign.{{Cite news |last=Cook |first=Nancy |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19052919 |title=Former R.I. GOP Senator Chafee Supports Obama |date=February 14, 2008 |work=NPR |access-date=April 10, 2015}} During the 2014 election for governor of Rhode Island, which Chafee did not contest, he endorsed Clay Pell in the Democratic primary.{{Cite news |url=http://wpri.com/2014/09/08/gov-chafee-endorses-clay-pell-for-ri-governor/ |title=Gov. Chafee backs Clay Pell for RI governor |date=September 8, 2014 |work=WPRI |access-date=April 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414014859/http://wpri.com/2014/09/08/gov-chafee-endorses-clay-pell-for-ri-governor/ |archive-date=April 14, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}

Chafee and his wife, Stephanie Birney (Danforth) Chafee, married in January 1990.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/21/style/l-d-chafee-wed-to-miss-danforth-in-rhode-island.html |title=L. D. Chafee Wed To Miss Danforth In Rhode Island |date=January 21, 1990 |work=The New York Times}} They have three children: Louisa, Caleb, and Thea. Louisa qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in sailing.{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/daughter-presidential-hopeful-chafee-heads-olympics-37191859 |title=Daughter of Ex-Presidential Hopeful Chafee Heads to Olympics |website=go.com}} He is a member of The Episcopal Church.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/5-faith-facts-about-lincoln-chafee-i-have-to-be-respectful-of-everyone/2015/06/03/74051a48-0a24-11e5-951e-8e15090d64ae_story.html |title=5 faith facts about Lincoln Chafee: 'I have to be respectful of everyone' |last=Winston |first=Kimberly |date=June 3, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/article/episcopal-senators-hagel-chafee-recognized-leadership-middle-east-peace |title=Episcopal senators Hagel, Chafee recognized for leadership in Middle East peace |date=September 11, 2006 |website=Episcopal Church |language=en |access-date=May 5, 2019}} {{As of|2019}}, he lives in Teton Village, Wyoming.{{Cite news |last=Gregg |first=Katherine |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20190128/lincoln-chafee-and-family-settling-in-wyoming |title=Lincoln Chafee and family settling in Wyoming |date=January 28, 2019 |work=The Providence Journal |publisher=GateHouse Media}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = 2010 Rhode Island gubernatorial election{{Cite web |url=http://www.ri.gov/election/results/2010/general_election/ |title=RI.gov: Election Results |date=November 17, 2010 |publisher=Rhode Island Government |access-date=November 29, 2010}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Lincoln Chafee

| party = Independent (politician)

| votes = 123,571

| percentage = 36.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = John Robitaille

| party = Republican Party (US)

| votes = 114,911

| percentage = 33.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Frank Caprio

| party = Democratic Party (US)

| votes = 78,896

| percentage = 23.0

}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Ken Block

| party = Moderate

| votes = 22,146

| percentage = 6.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joseph Lusi

| party = Independent (politician)

| votes = 1,091

| percentage = 0.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Todd Giroux

| party = Independent (politician)

| votes = 882

| percentage = 0.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Ronald Algieri

| party = Independent (politician)

| votes = 793

| percentage = 0.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2006 U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Sheldon Whitehouse

|votes = 206,110

|percentage = 53.47

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Lincoln Chafee (incumbent)

|votes = 179,001

|percentage = 46.44

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2006 U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island – Republican primary}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Lincoln Chafee (incumbent)

|votes = 34,934

|percentage = 54.17

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Steve Laffey

|votes = 29,556

|percentage = 45.83

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2000 U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Lincoln Chafee (incumbent)

|votes = 222,588

|percentage = 56.88

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Robert Weygand

|votes = 161,023

|percentage = 41.15

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=1998 mayoral election in Warwick, Rhode Island}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Lincoln Chafee (incumbent)

|votes = 17,808

|percentage = 57.56

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| |party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = George Zainyeh

|votes = 12,323

|percentage = 39.83

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Portal|United States|New England|Rhode Island|Biography}}

• List of American politicians who switched parties in office
• 2016 Democratic Party presidential candidates
• Republican and conservative support for Barack Obama in 2008
• Rockefeller Republican
• Lowell Weicker, another liberal Republican senator who was elected governor of his home state (Connecticut) as a third-party candidate.

{{Clear}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://lincolnchafee.com Lincoln Chafee for President 2020 Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128130612/https://www.lincolnchafee.com/ |date=January 28, 2021 }}
• [https://www.libertariansfornationalpopularvote.com/about-us Lincoln Chafee at Libertarians for National Popular Vote]
• {{CongLinks | congbio=c001040 | votesmart= | fec=S8RI00102 | congress= }}
• {{C-SPAN}}
• [https://sosri.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/digitalFile_43bd73b4-f13c-4374-8cab-2f042aaa75ea/ Guide to the Governor Lincoln D. Chafee records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913002542/https://sosri.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/digitalFile_43bd73b4-f13c-4374-8cab-2f042aaa75ea/ |date=September 13, 2018 }} from the Rhode Island State Archives

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{{Governors of Rhode Island}}

{{Third-party governors}}

{{United States senators from Rhode Island}}

{{2016 United States presidential election}}

{{2020 United States presidential election}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chafee, Lincoln}}

Category:1953 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century mayors of places in Rhode Island

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