“Perhaps getting someone from the private sector” ... That’s the problem, there’s no private sector left in RI. I really won’t hold it against him if he can’t pull somebody in to run 2010, this state is really circling the bowl.. I live in Warwick, I doubt Avedesian would run but I also doubt very much that he would back Chafee if there is a Republican in the race. In my opinion Avedesian is a RINO and that’s one of the reasons I’d prefer he doesn’t run, I don’t consider him to be a fiscal conservative and he’s also openly gay (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Honestly, if it came down to it I would vote Dem in a three way race just to make sure Chafee bites it.. I can’t think of too many people I have less respect for than Linc he truly is bottom shelf all the way.
Maybe we can get Buddy Cianci to run as a Republican again ? But seriously, about the only other name I can think of is Ron Machtley. Remember he was considered the odds-on likely nominee back in ‘94 when Lincoln Almond beat him in an upset (and, of course, had he stayed in Congress, that little pissant Paddy Kennedy wouldn’t have replaced him). He was President of that college (Bryant) last I checked.
Of course, there’s those other Republicans that served in statewide office in the ‘80s and ‘90s that all seemed to drop off the radar screen. Bernie Jackvony, Almond’s appointee to Lt Governor (though he couldn’t win a general). Susan Farmer and Barbara Leonard (both Secretaries of State). Former AGs Arlene Violet (though I think she left the GOP), and Jeffrey Pine (who was once well regarded). Nancy Meyer being the last one, the former Treasurer.