UPDATED: Businessman and Former Top GOP Aide to Run for RI Governor in 2022

UPDATED: Businessman and Former Top GOP Aide to Run for RI Governor in 2022

A former top staffer to Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond will run for Governor in 2022.

GoLocal has learned that David Darlington, a businessman and former chair of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, will be the Rhode Island Republican party’s first significant candidate for the governor's seat.

Presently, five Democrats are running for their party’s nomination, including Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, and former Secretary of State Matt Brown.

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The Democratic primary is expected to be highly competitive and potentially very bitter.

On the Republican side, no other candidates have emerged yet. 

Former Cranston Mayor and two-time gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung and his wife -- freshman State Representative Barbara Ann Fenton Fung, who took out former Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello in 2018 -- are both considered possible contenders.

House Minority Leader Blake Filippi has said he is weighing his political options. 

As GoLocal wrote following the 2020 election cycle, "The 2022 Rhode Island Governor’s Race Is On—Here’s Who Could Be Running" -- read here. 

 

 

About Darlington's Campaign 

Darlington held a number of senior positions for Almond, who served as Rhode Island’s chief executive from 1995 to 2003.

Darlington’s campaign will be directed by long-time national political consultant Jim Murphy.

Murphy crafted Almond’s upset victory over the heavily favored U.S. Congressman Ron Machtley in 1994 in the Republican primary. Murphy also served as Trump’s political director in 2016 and resigned after the Billy Bush-Trump Access Hollywood tape was released.

Almond’s win over Machtley is considered one of the biggest political upsets in Rhode Island political history.

Murphy is considered one of the top GOP political consultants in the country. 

 

Business Leader

Darlington is the owner of the 130-year-old Fletcher Granite Company in Massachusetts which has been a recognized leader in quarrying and fabrication of fine granite products.

Over its history, the company has provided the columns for both the U.S. Treasury Building and the U.S. Federal Judiciary Building in Washington, D.C.

In addition, the company provided the granite for the Quincy Market buildings at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston.

This story was first published 9/29/21 7:29 PM

Updated 9/30/21 7:42 AM