Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has asked for the cancellation of a fundraiser after The Public’s Radio reported that it was being hosted by the co-chair of former President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign in Rhode Island.
“Once I became aware on Friday afternoon of the details of a fundraising event set for next Wednesday, I asked that the event be cancelled,” McKee said Sunday, in a statement released through his campaign organization.
“I do not want to be associated with Donald Trump in any way, shape, or form,” McKee continued. “I do not like Trump…he is dishonest, divisive, and his “Big Lie” is a threat to our democracy. There is no place for a Trump spokesperson to co-host any event I am involved in.”
According to an invite for the Wednesday fundraiser, Gerald Zarrella, a former Democrat who co-chaired Trump’s RI campaign in 2020, planned to host it at his Exeter home. Another developer, Thomas Santilli, was listed as a co-host.
Invitations for the $250 per person fundraiser – first reported Friday by The Public’s Radio – were sent to 90 people, including a number of state lawmakers and some Republicans such as former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung.
McKee inherited the governor’s office earlier this year when Gina Raimondo became U.S. Commerce secretary.
A number of Democrats are expected to challenge him in a September 2022 primary, including General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, although no Republican candidates have emerged.
McKee is perceived as being somewhat more conservative than his potential Democratic rivals, possibly giving him the ability to draw votes from independents and some Republicans.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org. Follow him on Twitter @IanDon. Sign up here for his weekly RI politics and media newsletter.
