Projo Politics Blog

The Rhode Island Reagan-Lincoln Day Dinner, part of an effort to raise money for the state's Republican candidates, is tonight.

Former Cranston Mayor Stephen P. Laffey and local town committee leaders, members and guests will gather at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston, at 6 p.m. There will be refreshments at the bar and food stations.

Among invited guests are Governor Carcieri, party leaders and all candidates for national committeeman and committeewoman, according to an e-mailed news release from the South Kingstown Republican Town Committee.

A news release says that for every $100 ticket each local GOP sells, the net proceeds will go directly in the local GOP bank account. So when a local GOP sells 50 tickets to the local community, $5,000 goes into that GOP bank account and $1,250 (based on $25 cost) of that money will be a check to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet for net proceeds of $3,750.

Laffey left office after a failed bid to unseat then-U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee in a 2006 Republican primary. The Journal has reported Laffey is thought to be readying for a potential run for governor in 2010.

Laffey and his wife have contributed to defray the event's cost "to maximize benefit to local GOP," the release notes.

The Journal's Political Scene column reported in late March that Laffey said he donated $1,000 to the Cranston GOP to arrange the venue for the fundraiser.

---