Roberts

PROVIDENCE –– Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will not run for governor in 2010, according to a surprise announcement Wednesday afternoon that squelched widespread speculation the Cranston Democrat would compete for Rhode Island’s most powerful elective post.

The move comes just two months after the first-term lieutenant governor unveiled a high-profile “campaign team” to explore a gubernatorial bid.

Roberts, 52, offered no direct explanation for her decision, saying only that she would seek another term in her current office, while “pledging to use her position to make health care affordable for every Rhode Islander.”

“I’ve spent the past few months exploring a run for governor, and I want to thank all of my supporters and let them know that I will continue to work to turn the page on politics as usual in Rhode Island,” she said in a statement, declining a subsequent interview request.

While the lieutenant governor’s post has sometimes been a launching pad for higher office, Roberts had generally trailed in fundraising and preliminary polling among a crowded field of political heavyweights hoping to replace the term-limited Governor Carcieri in January 2011.

Would-be opponents showered Roberts with praise when asked to react to the announcement.

“The lieutenant governor remains a formidable force in Rhode Island politics despite her decision not to run for governor,” said Lincoln D. Chafee, who will run for governor as an independent but shared some of Roberts’ supporters and fundraisers.

“Lt. Gov. Roberts is a dedicated public servant ... I have been proud to work with her and serve with her as a general officer, and I look forward to continuing the productive working relationship we have enjoyed,” said Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.

Lynch intends to run and would have competed with Roberts for the more liberal voters in next year’s Democratic primary.

“Lt. Gov. Roberts is a leader in our state with a bright future,” said General Treasurer Frank T. Caprio, considered a more conservative Democrat, who has yet to announce his candidacy but is widely expected to run.

Roberts’ decision has immediate implications, even with Election Day 16 months away.

The “short-term” winner among the Democrats is Lynch, according to University of Rhode Island political science Prof. Maureen Moakley. “She and Lynch draw some of the same constituency.”

Moakley added that in the general election, Chafee also stands to gain support from would-be Roberts’ backers.

“It’s a smart move politically. She’s facing a very crowded and competitive field,” Moakley continued. “She’s young and she’s got a career ahead of her.”

It’s unclear if money was a factor in Roberts’ decision.

Her campaign would not release updated fundraising totals Wednesday, the day after the end of the second quarter. But spokesman Seth Klaiman said, “It’ll be the best quarter she’s had.”

Chafee’s office reported roughly $130,000 on hand at the end of June, the first quarter his camp was legally allowed to raise funds. Caprio, who has long dominated the money race, reported $1.4 million on hand as of July 1; Lynch’s campaign staff reported around $550,000 on hand.

Roberts’ announcement also has implications for what had become a crowded field of Democrats competing for her vacant seat. The likely candidates included state Rep. Elizabeth M. Dennigan, D-East Providence; Rep. Edwin R. Pacheco, D-Burrillville; and Sen. John J. Tassoni, Jr., D-Smithfield.

Each had expressed interest, but only in the event that Roberts ran for governor. Wednesday, each said they would abandon their quest for the lieutenant governor’s office given Roberts’ decision.

The lieutenant governor personally called each of them before her public announcement. But she offered little explanation for the unexpected decision, which comes almost exactly one year before the official filing deadline for candidates.

“She wants to focus on the issues,” Roberts’ spokesman Klaiman said, specifically citing looming national health-care reform and pending health-insurance rate hikes in Rhode Island. “If you’re a candidate for governor, everything gets politicized and it’s tough to focus on policy.”

–– With reports from Katherine Gregg

speoples@projo.com