Businessman and government watchdog Ken Block announced Thursday he is running for Rhode Island governor as an independent, adding a new dynamic to an already crowded race.
Block, 60, enters a field that includes incumbent Democratic Gov. Dan McKee, along with Democrats Helena Foulkes and Gregory Stevens. Republicans in the race include Aaron Guckian, Elaine Pelino and Robert J. Raimondo.
In a campaign launch statement, Block framed his candidacy as a response to what he called systemic failures in state government, pointing to Rhode Island’s roughly $15 billion budget and questioning the return taxpayers receive.
“Your taxes keep going up, but the roads don’t get fixed, projects fail, and nothing seems to work the way it should,” Block said. “It’s time to fix broken processes and make government accountable to the people it serves.”
Block has positioned himself as a reform-minded outsider with a background in business and data systems. He previously founded the Moderate Party of Rhode Island and ran for governor twice — in 2010 as its nominee and again in 2014 as a Republican.
His professional career includes early work at GTECH and later leading a software company focused on large-scale government systems. He has also been involved in election reform efforts, including a successful legal challenge to Rhode Island’s ballot access laws and advocacy to eliminate the state’s “master lever” voting option.
Block said his campaign will focus on improving transparency, reducing waste and delivering more effective government services.
Rhode Island’s statewide primary is set for Sept. 9, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.
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