Robert G. Flanders Jr., who crafted an independent profile as a justice on the Rhode Island Supreme Court, is forming an exploratory committee to help him consider a GOP run next year against Democratic U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.
Flanders, 67, works as a lawyer and partner with Whelan, Corrente, Flanders, Kinder & Siket LLP in Providence. In addition to his frequent dissents while serving on the state Supreme Court from 1996 to 2004, he is known for having been a state-appointed receiver in Central Falls.
In a statement, Flanders said he began looking at a U.S. Senate run after people encouraged him to do so.
“With the unease and hyper-partisan political environment in Washington, Rhode Island voters want a Senator that works with Republicans, Democrats, and independents to promote practical solutions to the issues facing our country and our state,” he said. “Rhode Island needs a United States Senator that can help change the nation’s mood from one of anxiety, mistrust, and insecurity to one of confidence, high expectations, and optimism.”
Whitehouse first won election to the Senate when he beat then-Republican Lincoln Chafee in 2006, and he won an easy re-election victory in 2012. Whitehouse has been a sharp critic of the Trump administration and he’s known in part for raising attention about climate change.
Another Republican, state Rep. Robert Nardolillo (R-Coventry) is slated to announce a run against Whitehouse in May.
In his statement, Flanders said he’d try to promote greater bi-partisanship as a senator.
“We need a climate change in Washington,” he said. “Extreme partisanship makes Washington part of the problem, and hinders the process of finding workable solutions. Consistent with Rhode Island values, we deserve a Senator in the nation’s capitol who will work across the aisle to unlock innovation and job growth, provide a system of high quality and affordable health care, reform unfair and anti-competitive tax policies, lift regulatory burdens off the backs of small business, promote better education, and enhance our security by restoring global confidence in America.”
Should Flanders run, Democrats can be expected to try to link him with Republicans in Washington — a strategy that enabled Whitehouse to beat Chafee in 2006, despite Chafee’s popularity at the time.
Flanders used his statement to paint a contrast from Whitehouse, whose family wealth stems from old railroad money.
“I am the oldest of seven children,” Flanders said. “My parents had to work long and hard to support us. My dad began his work life in a factory, where he joined a union and assembled planes for the military, before he became a salesman for food distributors. My mom worked long hours in fast food restaurants. Growing up, I knew firsthand about the struggles that middle class families experience to make ends meet.”
In a statement, Whitehouse spokeswoman Meaghan McCabe said, “We look forward to a vigorous debate with whichever Republican challenger emerges.”
Flanders’ formation of an exploratory committee was first reported by The Providence Journal.
This report has been updated.
