Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

East Providence Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan is considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2010.

In an interview Friday afternoon, Dennigan, a 12-year veteran of the House and a member of the powerful Finance Committee, said she will explore the idea of a run if Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts runs for governor, as she has signaled she may do.

"I think it would be a great opportunity to pursue an agenda of economic development and jobs for Rhode Island," Dennigan, 54, said today. "I have to say that's been a key interest of mine in the Legislature."

"I think I would be qualified for any of the statewide offices, but at the moment I am looking at the lieutenant governor position," she added.

Dennigan, an emergency room nurse and a lawyer by training, says at this point, she's still in the investigative stage -- "I have a lot of coffees scheduled for next week."

That includes meetings with representatives from the offices of U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Patrick Kennedy, as well as a formal sit-down with Roberts.

And how does she feel about critics who say the lieutenant governor's job is expendable? Dennigan is not ready to address that yet, at least not until she decides if she's running.

"I'm really just starting the talking stage," she said.

 Tags  East Providence Elizabeth Roberts RI

Comments

Bob Arino said:

Politicians don't really do anything to make people's lives better. They just do the little they can to move up into more "powerful" positions. RI is completely screwed. Why are we voting in the same people for years and years and years?

Link | March 6, 2009 6:06 PM
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pod said:

Why don't we finally do away with the position and save the million dollars or so it costs to support the do nothing office. It is just a place for some middling politicos to roost for a few years in hopes that their name recognition will improve for a future race for a real office.
Dennigan may or may not be a hard working politico (I do not know of her) but I know the office is unnecessary. This economic crisis is a wonderful excuse to euthanize the post.

Link | March 6, 2009 6:44 PM
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brian said:

elizabeth dennigan would make a fine governor for this state.aim a little higher elizabeth

Link | March 6, 2009 6:49 PM
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Paula Fillion said:

I would be proud to work on Betsey Dennigan's campaign. She is a treasure and we'd be very lucky to have someone with her integrity, intellegence and dedication in higher office!!!

Link | March 9, 2009 4:17 PM
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