Tom Sgouros, publisher of a newsletter on the state’s economic policies, is running for general treasurer.

The Providence Journal / Bob Breidenbach

Thomas A. Sgouros Jr. consults as a software engineer and technical writer. He also publishes a newsletter that focuses on Rhode Island’s economic policies and he recently published a book that expands on the newsletter themes.

Now, the 48-year-old North Kingstown Democrat is looking to put his skills to work in the halls of state government by serving as state treasurer.

Sgouros announced his candidacy on Friday, jumping in ahead of two veteran Democratic lawmakers who have also expressed interest.

The first-time candidate said he is running because he is frustrated with how the state does business.

“A lot of what goes on at the State House, a lot of the bad things that go on at the State House, are motivated by bad analysis of the problems,” he said. “I think that there are a host of practical evidence-based solutions to the problems that face us that we could take advantage of if we were not wearing ideological blinders.”

With State Sen. William A. Walaska, of Warwick, and House Finance Chairman Steven T. Costantino, of Providence, also expressing interest in running for general treasurer, Sgorous’ candidacy increases the likelihood of a high-stakes Democratic primary next year.

Sgouros sees himself as an outsider in that mix, one who is not beholden to people, and one who can think outside the box at a time when the state is grappling with a tattered economy and a 12.9-percent unemployment rate.

While the treasurer’s office — currently held by Democrat Frank T. Caprio, who is running for governor — is not the central figure in managing the state’s economy, Sgouros said the office can help by conducting business in a way that reduces costs and keeps more money in the state.

He said the state could, for instance, sell more local bonds, much as venture capital firms do, when it needs to borrow money, rather than going to out-of-state banks and investors. He also said cities and towns could help one another by lending to one another when they need to borrow money to maintain a positive cash flow.

“We could cultivate pools of capital inside the state,” he said. “To the extent that we could owe the money to ourselves, that’s money that stays in the state’s economy.”

Sgouros, who goes by Tom, said he has published the Rhode Island Policy Reporter about six times a year since 2003, using the newsletter to delve into issues such as tax and housing policies, pension costs and other fiscal topics that have a significant impact on the state.

His book, “Ten Things You Don’t Know About Rhode Island,” was published this year by Providence-based Light Publishing.

He is self-employed and has two bachelor’s degrees, one in physics from Swarthmore College, in Pennsylvania, and the other in film and video from the Rhode Island School of Design. He lives in North Kingstown with his wife, Celia Gelfman, and daughters Timi and Lydia.

Sgouros said the premise of his platform is that there are things that the state can do to help itself, and the treasurer’s office can play a part.

“The ultimate goal is to grow the state’s economy, to secure jobs for Rhode Islanders,” he said. “In a direct role, the general treasurer has a small part to play but could play more of a role than the office currently does.”Thomas A. Sgouros Jr., 48

RESIDENCE:

North Kingstown

OFFICE SOUGHT:

Democratic candidate for general treasurer in 2010

EDUCATION:

B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College

B.F.A. in film and video from Rhode Island School of Design

FAMILY:

Married with two daughtersThomas A. Sgouros Jr., 48

RESIDENCE:

North Kingstown

OFFICE SOUGHT:

Democratic candidate for general treasurer in 2010

EDUCATION:

B.A. in physics from Swarthmore College

B.F.A. in film and video from Rhode Island School of Design

FAMILY:

Married with two daughters

redgar@projo.com