Lynch
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch is dropping his bid to become the state's next governor.
Lynch announced Thursday that he is abandoning his campaign a month after the state Democratic Party gave its support to General Treasurer Frank Caprio, who becomes the only Democrat in the race. Caprio also had a fundraising advantage over Lynch.
Lynch has been attorney general since 2003. He says he is quitting his campaign to avoid a costly Democratic primary that could have possibly led to the victor not being elected.
"In addition to this announcement and my endorsement of his candidacy, I am ready to assist Frank however I can to ensure that he becomes the next governor of our great State," Lynch said.
Lynch added that he is looking forward to his final months as attorney general. Term limits prevent him from seeking another four years.
"I have never lost my focus on doing what's right regardless of the political fallout. I am proud of our record of standing up for the people of Rhode Island," Lynch said.
"For the next six months, I will continue to fight to make this state a better place."
Lynch is best known for his lawsuit against the paint industry. He hired plaintiffs firm Motley Rice to sue a group of companies that made lead-based paint before it was outlawed in 1978.
Though initially successful, the case was overturned unanimously by the state Supreme Court in 2008.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.