Chafee, a Strong Environmentalist, Quits Republican Party

Lincoln D. Chafee, who was ousted from the Senate in November, has quit the Republican Party, according to the Providence Journal. He said his values -- including his stance on environmental stewardship -- are no longer reflected in the GOP. He is now an unaffiliated voter.

As a Senator, Chafee continued in his father's footsteps, fighting for sound environmental policy, even when it frustrated the larger aims of his party. He opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, for instance. In his last five sessions in the Senate, he never scored lower than 68% in the League of Conservation Voters' assessment of legislators' voting records.

COMMENTS ()