Former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee Considers Presidential Run as Democrat

Former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee announced Thursday that he has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run as the Democratic nominee for the White House in 2016.

Chafee, who served as a Republican in the U.S. Senate and as an Independent while governor of Rhode Island, said the 2016 presidential election is “an important one for the Democratic Party and for America,” in a brief video posted on his website.

Chafee said President Obama has “led admirably,” but expressed his alarm about instability in the Middle East and North Africa.

“I don’t like where this is going,” said Chafee, who served as national co-chair of the President’s re-election campaign in 2012. “Americans want safety, stability, and sustainability. We will need fresh ideas and most skillful diplomacy in dealing with this ever-changing world.”

Though the video isn’t an official announcement of a presidential bid, Chafee would face an uphill battle with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is expected to announce her own campaign in April.